POLICE in North Yorkshire have bucked a national trend by recording a decrease in crime – but reports of sexual offences continue to rise.

There were a total of 36,683 crimes in North Yorkshire over the past year to March, which amounts to a two per cent decrease on the previous year, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

It means statistically North Yorkshire remains the safest place to live, work and visit in England.

It contrasts with the national picture, which saw police in England and Wales recording the largest annual rise in crime in a decade with an 11 per cent increase. Nearly five million offences were recorded over the past year to March.

The statistics show that one category of crime which saw the largest reduction was burglary, which fell by 13 per cent with 3,603 burglaries reported, which was 537 fewer than the previous year.

Other areas where crime fell include;

• Drug offences decreased by 12 per cent

• Theft fell by seven per cent.

• Bicycle theft fell four per cent.

• Criminal damage and arson fell five per cent

• Vehicle offences fell 11 per cent.

But sexual offences rose by 20 per cent, with a total of 1,424 crimes in total. In 2016 sexual offences rose by 13 per cent, in 2015 they increased 32 per cent and in 2014 they rose by 14 per cent.

North Yorkshire Police claim the rise is down to a “positive reflection of the confidence victims have in North Yorkshire Police” particularly in making historical complaints in the wake of high profile historical sexual abuse cases and with additional support from dedicated facilities for victims of sexual assault.

Deputy Chief Constable Lisa Winward said: “The latest national crime statistics reflect our relentless determination to keep improving the service we deliver for residents and businesses, as well as for the many thousands of visitors who come here to experience our wonderful part of the world.

“There will be no let-up in our efforts to deter and detect criminality in our cities, towns and villages. With our now well-established ‘Proactive Policing’ approach, supported by the Road Crime Team, Roads Policing Group, the Firearms Support Unit and the Rural Taskforce, and underpinned by a network of fixed site and mobile ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, we have the capability to target suspected criminals around the clock both within and across our force borders.

“In addition to this in light of the terrible terrorist incidents in London and Manchester, we take our responsibilities to protect our communities extremely seriously. That’s why we will continue to provide a visible and reassuring presence at crowded events as we have seen recently at the Great Yorkshire Show and the Armed Forces Day in Scarborough. From the public feedback we have received, I know the vast majority of people are truly grateful for the work our policing teams are doing to keep them safe from harm.

“I thank our officers, PCSOs, Special Constables, police staff and volunteers for everything they do to make a difference. They are a credit to North Yorkshire Police.”