VIOLENT crime has increased by more than 50 per cent in Ryedale over the last year.

The number of incident has increased from 70 in 2016/17 to 118 in 2017/18, an overall rise of 59 per cent.

In a report to North Yorkshire County Council’s Ryedale Area Committee, Inspector Martin Dennison, said: “This rise is partly due to the way in which North Yorkshire Police now records crime and in particular violent crime with and without injury. On the incidents reported, 33 were within the domestic setting and included a number of incidents reported through multi-agency partners.”

Among the violent crimes reported were 10 relating to harassment of a victim or the breach of a restraining order, four between children, with the assaults occurring on the way to or from school, three relating to dog bites, two of road rage attacks and four linked to the policing of the protest at Kirby Misperton.

Insp Dennison said: “There have been 17 sexual offences reported in the period, four of which being allegations of rape. This represents an increase of 13 crimes reported over the corresponding period last year.”

Burglary dwellings are down 35.1 per cent and there has also been a reduction in vehicle crime from 25 to 24.

Insp Dennison added: “There have been seven thefts of vehicles and seven thefts from vehicles. In this second category the items stolen range from a handbag and tools to car badges and plastic trim. This category also covers two offences of diesel syphoning. There are not believed to be any patterns to the crimes.”

Insp Dennison said the Ryedale Safer Neighbourhood Police Team had ensured a high visibility attendance at a number of public events.

“The team is currently undertaking a number of surgery visits across the area incorporating crime prevention events at community halls and local businesses,” he said. “The team has also focused on patrols deterring anti-social behaviour and criminality in our rural communities. In targeting the illegal hunting with dogs on land, officers and staff have stopped, searched and disrupted poachers.

"The impact of poaching upon the local rural community is not underestimated and forms part of our current patrol strategy.”