NORTH Yorkshire has the lowest crime rate in England, according to figures released today by the Office of National Statistics - though burglaries, robberies and arson have all increased.

In the report entitled the "Crime Statistics for England and Wales, year ending December 2015", the ONS say that there were a total of 36,335 crimes in North Yorkshire.

This gives a crime rate of 45.1 per 1,000 of the population.

While this reflects a 5 per cent rise in crime in comparison to the same period the previous year, it is below the 8 per cent increase in England and Wales.

North Yorkshire Police say the rise is due to improved crime recording standards.

The figures show burglaries and arson offences are up, as are robberies by a huge 24 per cent and sexual offences by 18 per cent.

Several others have come down, including drugs and possession of weapons offences, the latter by 22 per cent.

Some of the crime figures for North Yorkshire are:

  • Drug offences decreased by 7 per cent (1,881 crimes in total, 151 fewer crimes)
  • Possession of weapons offences down by 22 per cent (178 crimes in total, 51 fewer crimes)
  • One per cent decrease in theft offences (16,934 crimes in total, 233 fewer crimes)
  • Theft from person down by 9 per cent (482 crimes in total, 49 fewer crimes)
  • All other theft offences down by 8 per cent (4,708 crimes in total, 389 fewer crimes)
  • Overall burglary increased by 4 per cent (4,130 crimes in total, 141 more crimes of which 50 were dwelling and 91 non-dwelling burglaries)
  • Criminal damage and arson went up by 9 per cent (5,641 crimes in total, 442 more crimes)
  • One per cent increase in Vehicle Offences (2,266 crimes in total, 19 more crimes)
  • Robbery increased by 24 per cent (168 crimes in total, 32 more crimes)
  • Violence against the person went up by 22 per cent (8,572 crimes in total, 1,570 more crimes). Of these, almost half come under the 'Violence Without Injury' category
  • Public order offences increased by 4 per cent (1,267 crimes in total, 50 more crimes)
  • Shoplifting increased by a 1 per cent (4,040 crimes in total, 45 more crimes)
  • Sexual offences went up by 18 per cent (1,150 crimes in total, 179 more crimes).

North Yorkshire Police say this last figure in particular is "regarded as a positive reflection of the confidence victims have in North Yorkshire Police, particularly those making historical complaints."

The figure has been influenced by Operation Yewtree and Operation Hibiscus (Jimmy Savile/Peter Jaconelli investigations), and the opening of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in York two-and-a-half years ago.

Miscellaneous crimes against society, which includes the possession and publication of extreme sexual images, remained at the same level with 544 crimes in total.

Bicycle theft remained at the same level with 1,308 crimes in total.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy said: "North Yorkshire Police remains determined and resolute in our efforts to keep people safe from a range of dangers, including the emergence of cyber-based crime.

"Our officers, staff and volunteers work around the clock, every day of the year, targeting and disrupting criminal activity across the county and beyond our force borders.

"There will be no let-up from North Yorkshire Police, particularly in those areas showing an increase.

"We are constantly striving to improve the way we operate and provide the very best service possible for the people and communities we are proud to serve."