CHRISTCHURCH has seen a rise in crime for the first time in seven years.

But police and Christchurch council are attributing the rises in violent crime, theft and sexual offences to new ways of recording incidents.

Overall crime has risen by 23.5 per cent in the past year, which equates to 387 more offences.

The biggest increases can be seen in theft - in particular shoplifting - criminal damage and theft from vehicles.

Sexual offences are also up, with 11 more reports than the previous year.

A report which went to last Tuesday's scrutiny committee heard Dorset Police had adopted a new way of recording incidents.

This renders the comparison to previous years "problematic", particularly with violence against the person offences.

These have risen by 52 per cent - 163 more reports, but serious assaults have reduced by 16 per cent.

'Injury assaults' have increased by 10.5 per cent but lower level incidents have risen the most - almost doubling from 104 to 206.

Anti-social behaviour has fallen by 33 per cent, although burglary has increased with the most 'challenging' areas in Mudeford, Highcliffe and Walkford.

Criminal damage is also up with 93 more reports, with incidence ranging from vandalism to graffiti.

Inspector Lance Cliff, speaking at the scrutiny committee, said: "We have to consider that all public services have had cuts and we strive to deliver the best service that we can with victims.

"Some of the things that traditionally we did, we can no longer do and that leads to concern from the community.

"But we do the very best we can with the resources that we have got."

He said officers remain flexible and committed to making Christchurch 'as safe and low crime' as they could.

The report added: "Christchurch continues to be a safe place to live and levels of crime and anti-social behaviour are still low compared to other areas in the country.

"These increases reinforce that we must continue to work with our communities and partners in order to promote crime prevention measures wherever possible."

Members were asked to note the report.