THE number of robberies in Bournemouth has gone up by more than 25 per cent, figures suggest.

There were 180 robberies between April 2017 and March 2018, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics.

These include muggings as well as more serious hold ups with guns and knives.

That figure is up 27 per cent on 2016-17, when 142 incidents were recorded.

Chief Constable Bill Skelly, of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: "We take rises in crime very seriously. Police forces are targeting crime hotspots, using powers of stop and search and active engagement with communities to prevent violence. The causes and drivers of rising violence and related crimes are complex, and so the solutions must focus on early intervention and involve a range of action from government, education, health, social services, housing and victim services.

"To bring down robbery and burglary police target prolific offenders and links to organised crime but we also need the public to help by taking simple crime prevention measures."

The ONS has urged caution in interpreting the figures, since some offences go unreported while others may seem more numerous due to a change in the focus of the police or greater public attention.

Overall, police recorded crime in Bournemouth increased in 2017-18 to 18,396, up by seven per cent on 2016-17.

That means there was a rate of 94 crimes per 1,000 residents during 2017-18, above the England and Wales average of 82.

Gun and knife possession offences dropped by one, to 108 incidents. There was one homicide and one case of death or injury by dangerous driving.

Theft, one of the most high volume crimes, increased by one per cent. Drug-related offences dropped by 5.6 per cent.

Criminal damage, which includes arson and vandalising cars and houses, has gone up from 2,120 incidents in 2016-17 to 2,183.

While violence with injury, which includes assault, GBH and wounding, has risen, it is thought that this may be due to improved police recording as opposed to an increase in incidents.

Similarly sexual crime statistics are hard to judge as there are thought to be many more victims coming forward due to high profile cases.

In Bournemouth there were 567 incidents recorded in 2017-18, a 32 per cent rise on the previous year when 430 crimes were reported.

There were also 781 cases of stalking and harassment reported over the same period.

According to the ONS, nearly half of investigations into recorded crimes are closed without a suspect being identified.

Police Minister Nick Hurd said: “The likelihood of being a victim remains low, however every violent crime is a significant concern and the Government is taking decisive action to tackle it.

“We recognise that crime is changing and that police demand is becoming increasingly complex.

“The statistics show that there has been a societal shift towards victims reporting ‘hidden’ crimes to the police and we welcome that more victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence are feeling empowered to come forward.”