CRIME in Cheshire rose by almost a third in the year up to March, new Office of National Statistics figures show.

This represents 21,593 additional offences between April 2017 and March 2018 compared to the period April 2016 and March 2017, although Cheshire Police says this is in largely due to improved crime recording.

Acting chief constable Janette McCormick will give a presentation on the detail behind the latest crime statistics at Cheshire Constabulary headquarters in Winsford on Wednesday, August 8 at 10am.

Darren Martland, deputy chief constable of Cheshire Constabulary, said: “Although the figures show and increase in overall crime, it is important to understand the context and reasons for the increase.

“Following an inspection of crime recording, conducted by HMICFRS in February 2017, Cheshire Constabulary took steps to review our crime recording processes and ensure that we were complying with Home Office counting rules.

"For example, previously, disorder in a public area was recorded as anti-social behaviour but it is now it is recorded as a crime (public order) which has shown an increase of 79 per cent (7,552 offences).”

The constabulary was recently re-inspected by HMICFRS, with a report to be published in the autumn. The force expects to see a significant improvement from the previous rating of ‘inadequate’.

Despite this, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire David Keane has asked acting chief constable Janette McCormick to explain to residents why Cheshire has seen one of the largest spikes

“As we know from previous ONS statistics, certain types of offences have seen a spike due to how they’re recorded in the constabulary’s new crime recording system. However, yet again, we’ve seen an increase in crime categories that we wouldn’t expect to be impacted by improvements in crime recording practices; this includes a 36.5 per cent increase in possession of weapons offences, and an increase in some burglary and vehicle offences.

“While I am pleased that the constabulary has already put in place successful campaigns to target perpetrators of these types of crimes – which we will hopefully start to see the positive impact of in future ONS releases – I would like to reassure the public that I am constantly monitoring the performance of the constabulary to ensure they are delivering the best possible police service for our communities.”

DCC Martland said: “It is important to add that, in addition to the increases in crime that are is believed to be attributable to the improvement in crime recording, there have been increases in other offences, which include vehicle offences (4.2 per cent), burglary (4.6 per cent) and knife related crime (12.1 per cent compared to a national 21.9 per cent rise).

“The Constabulary has recently undertaken an operation to tackle ‘county lines’ which led to 29 people were jailed for more than 180 years for dealing drugs in Cheshire. We have had an ongoing operation in Runcorn tackling those who carry knives in the town which has seen dozens of arrests and we’ve also cracked down on burglars targeting homes for family gold.

“I would also like to highlight that, whilst there have been increases in these categories of crime, they have been less than the national average and Cheshire Constabulary has some of the lowest crime rates for these offences in the country.

“Our officers and staff are committed to working with our partners to prevent crime, support victims and protect vulnerable people.”

Victims of crime in Cheshire can report it to Cheshire Police online at cheshire.police.uk, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.