MORE than 82,000 crimes have been reported to Cheshire Police in the last year according to the Office of National Statistics.

The latest figures released on Thursday, April 26, show that recorded crime has continued to rise in Cheshire, with a 36.4 per cent increase in overall recorded crime between December 2016 and December 2017.

Darren Martland, deputy chief constable of Cheshire Constabulary, said: “While it is disappointing that recorded crime in Cheshire rose as much as it did between that period, it is important to understand the reasons behind this.”

He explains that the spike in reports are partly because of the improved crime recording processes have led to the recording of incidents such as disorder in a public area, which had previously been recorded as anti-social behaviour.

He said: “The improvements that have been made to the crime recording process are most notable for public order offences, violent offences and sexual offences, which all rose significantly in Cheshire over the one-year period.

The deputy chief constable assures the public that Cheshire Constabulary is committed to reductions in all types of crime and taking action in a bid to achieve this.

There has also been a fall in certain crimes in Cheshire over the one-year period, including theft, robbery and drug possession.

He said: “It is pleasing that there were significant falls in some crimes in Cheshire. We will continue to do everything we can to reduce the number of victims of any crime and our aim is to make the county a safer place to live, work and visit.”

“Our officers and staff are committed to working tirelessly alongside colleagues in the Special Constabulary and a number of different agencies – in the public, private and voluntary sector – in order to prevent crime, support victims and protect vulnerable people.”

Victims of crime in Cheshire are encouraged to report it to Cheshire Police via 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111. In an emergency, always dial 999.

For advice on the support available for victims of crime, go to cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/advice-and-support-for-victims.