DORSET Police have admitted there has been a genuine rise in crime - but reassured residents the county is still a safe place to live.

New data, released yesterday, shows a 9.6 per cent increase in reported crime over the past year.

And while the force says some of this can be attributed to better recording of incidents and higher public confidence in the police, top officers admit crime has risen.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal the rise in reported crime across England and Wales between April 2017 and March this year equals 12.8 per cent.

Crimes involving violence with injury rose by 33.5 per cent in Dorset, compared to a national increase of 9.9 per cent.

The force says that while some of this is linked to changes in recording, there is an element of genuine increase.

Overall violence saw an increase of 16.4 per cent, with criminal damage and arson increasing by nine per cent and public order offences by 15.8 per cent.

The increase in overall violence is less than the national increase of 19.4 per cent.

Deputy Chief Constable David Lewis said: “Back in 2015 we told the public that, after more than a decade of continual reduction in reported crime, it was expected that we would start seeing a rise and this has been reflected nationally in recent years.

“It is clear that, like other forces, the increase in recent years can in part be put down to people having greater confidence in coming forward to us, particularly for crimes such as domestic and sexual offences, and an increased emphasis on recording crime as accurately as possible.

“However, we have always vowed to be honest with our public and we must recognise that some of the increase is down to a genuine rise in crime taking place in local communities.

“This mirrors the national picture, and Dorset is still one of the safest places in the country.

"We continue to work hard at improving our investigative skills, finding new ways to respond to the rise in calls and working together with local partners to prevent crime.

“All officers and staff at Dorset Police remain committed to doing everything we can to keep the county a safe place to live, work and visit.”

Dorset PCC Martyn Underhill said: “The increase in reported crime in Dorset reflects the national picture – it is, in part, due to the work done by the force to improve crime recording, as well as the greater confidence the public have in contacting the police.

"It should be remembered, however, that the majority of demands that our police service face are not crime related, and these incidents and issues have also increased. At the same time, the numbers of police officers in England and Wales has decreased by 21,000 since 2010.

"On behalf of the people of Dorset I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers, staff and volunteers of Dorset Police, who have my support, my admiration and my gratitude for the incredibly difficult job they do."