CRIME has risen across the region according to the latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The Durham force area, which covers Darlington, has seen the greatest rise at 19 per cent, while overall crime in Cleveland has risen by 11 per cent in a 12-month period ending June 2016 compared to the previous year.

In the region only North Yorkshire, which saw a six per cent increase in overall crime, has seen its level stay below the average increase across England and Wales of eight per cent.

Statistically this makes the county the second safest place in the country to live, behind the Devon and Cornwall force area.

Crimes of violence without injury has seen a huge increase of 124 per cent in Durham, while robbery and violence against the person have also both risen by 62 per cent.

Cleveland has seen violence without injury go by up 47 per cent and violence against the person up 31 per cent.

In North Yorkshire there were 9,196 violence against the person crimes recorded – a 19 per cent rise.

However, changes in their categorisation is largely being seen as responsible for the rises.

Temporary Asst Chief Constable of Cleveland Police Ciaron Irvine explained: “This category now encompasses the offence of malicious communications, including harassment on social media, which has contributed heavily towards the increase in recorded violent crime.

He added: “Our priority is to keep victims at the heart of what we do and to protect our most vulnerable members of society.”

A Durham Police spokesman said that although the violent offences increase appears “alarming”, this does encompass more than 100 different variations including several categories of theft and violence.

He added that County Durham and Darlington remains “an extremely safe place to live” and that large percentage increases in some crimes are often in categories where the actual numbers are relatively small.

All forces saw rises in sexual offences, but officials say this is partly due to greater victim confidence in reporting historic cases.

Assistant Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police Lisa Winward said the latest figures show that the force is continuing to perform “at a very high standard”.