Recorded crimes in Devon and Cornwall increase by 7.2%

The number of recorded criminal offences in Devon and Cornwall has risen by over 7% in a year, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Devon and Cornwall Police recorded 91,729 crimes in the 12 months to the end of June, up 7.2% from about 86,000 the year before.

Crimes recorded by all police in England and Wales fell by 6% in the same period.

Devon and Cornwall Police said its more recent figures showed crime had fallen.

Of the increase in offences, burglary was up 16%, robbery up 19% and violent crime up 22%.

In the neighbouring Avon and Somerset force area, the total number of crimes fell by 5.2%. In Dorset, it was down 2.4%.

Devon and Cornwall Police said its updated figures, which went up to and included reports from "the last few days" showed that, overall, crime had fallen by 2.3%.