FIGURES released this week show crime continues to fall on Teesside, but there are more victims of violence.

Statistics compiled by Cleveland Police for May reveal a significant drop in house burglaries and vehicle crime.

They show crime down by nearly 13 per cent on last year, with a total of 5,957 offences.

Despite the drop, violent offences rose by 9.1 per cent, robbery was up 3.4 per cent, and sexual offences increased five per cent.

Police claim that a change in counting rules has led to the recorded increase in violence and sexual offences.

Assistant chief constable Bryan Bell said: "Monthly crime statistics can often feature blips. They can show a major rise in some offending one month, which is right down the next.

"If a prolific offender is jailed, it can have a dramatic effect on the statistics.

"Sexual offences in Stockton almost doubled last month, but that can be explained by the increased targeting of prostitutes in the town.

"We should not lose sight of the fact that, long-term, crime is falling."

Police Authority chairman Ken Walker said: "I believe we are now seeing real results from the extra investment we made in the last financial year, which means we now have a record number of officers in post."