POLICE have revealed violent crime and sex offences are on the rise - with almost 80 violent crimes reported in the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth in just three months.

Figures on a police crime map show during June, July and August, 77 offences of violence were reported in Lansdowne Mews/Crescent, Holdenhurst Road, Stafford Road and Oxford Road.

It comes after a man was left unconscious after a robbery at the weekend.

But police say the incidents may have occurred elsewhere and were just reported at the police station in Madeira Road.

However, they confirm there has been a rise in violent crime and sexual offences generally.

The figures are made available through a crime map on police.uk, which provides data on all offences recorded by police on a monthly basis.

But a spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "The figures from police.uk include violent and sexual crimes that have been reported to the front desk at Bournemouth police station, which is in the Lansdowne area.

"These incidents may have occurred at different locations and times and therefore skews the figures considerably.

"Other figures may not actually relate to the night-time economy as police.uk does not provide any additional context, such as whether the crime is related to domestic violence or if it occurred in the daytime.

"Like most Forces across the country and, in line with the national picture, we have seen a rise in violent and sexual offences.

"This can be attributed to increased confidence in people coming forwards to us. This is particularly the case for crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual offences.

"We have also seen significant changes in the way some types of crime are recorded and categorised.

"Our Neighbourhood Policing Team carry out proactive targeted day-time patrols and dedicated night-time patrols, which are deployed on an intelligence-led basis. We also have an active Pubwatch scheme.

"We do remain aware of all the issues in the town centre and continue to review and engage with our partners to improve Bournemouth for the better."

On the crime map, a parking area by the Arts University’s halls of residence in Madeira Road was particularly badly affected, with more reports of violent crime over the three months - 25 - than Holdenhurst Road, which had 24.

A spokesperson for the university said she was “surprised to learn of the high number of incidents”.

“AUB is not aware of a problem with crime,” she said.

“The Madeira Road halls of residence is staffed 24 hours a day, and all residents and visitors access halls via the secure entry point.

“The security team patrol the outside of the building a minimum of five times per night and report any crime or suspicious behaviour to police.”

Violent crimes include assault, grievous bodily harm and sexual offences.

Figures are only currently available until August.

However, in the early hours of Saturday, October 21, a Bournemouth man in his 20s was knocked unconscious during a robbery in Holdenhurst Road.

The victim, who was walking towards St Paul’s roundabout, suffered injuries to his face and a fractured cheekbone. His mobile phone and wallet were stolen.

He was spotted lying on the pavement by a passing motorist.

Ward councillor Robert Chapman said: “I was aware that there have been some problems recently.

“There is a police station in Madeira Road, so that is a surprise. What we need is more police patrols in the area.”

In Lansdowne Mews/Crescent, seven violent crimes were recorded. Three violent crimes were committed in Oxford Road in June alone.

The Lansdowne is to be turned into a £19.5m ‘major new business district’.