Recorded crime has risen by 8.8 per cent in Wiltshire which the police are putting down to improvements in recording crime.

The figure compares to an increase of 6.5 per cent across England and Wales, according to figures out today from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Police chiefs say it is a reflection of efforts to improve crime recording consistency together increased confidence by victims to report sexual offences.

Of the 43 forces in England and Wales, 33 are showing an increase in recorded crime.

The ONS statistics relate to the 12 months from October 2014 to September 2015 compared to the previous 12 month period. The increase of 8.8 per cent in the Wiltshire Police area equates to 2,830 crimes with an overall total of 34,959 crimes recorded.

Wiltshire’s figures are in line with those of forces with a similar demographic profile as well as forces across England and Wales.

The force records 50 crimes per 1,000 people compared to 65 per 1,000 nationally.

In Wiltshire there has been an eight per cent fall in vehicle crime, a reduction of 214 offences. Theft offences are up by one and a half per cent with 223 additional incidents recorded. Drug offences are down by 13.7 per cent with 212 fewer offences.

Recorded sex offences have increased by 40.5 per cent in the year under review. This represents an increase of 363 recorded offences. Wiltshire is in line with its most similar forces which saw a 39.2 per cent rise. Across England and Wales, all forces reported an increase in sex offences. The national increase is 36.6 per cent.

Force analysts point out that the volume of emergency calls to report sex offences has remained stable. There has been an increase in the number of reports via the non-emergency 101 number and via the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

Violence against the person has increased by 25.4 per cent, which is in line with the national increase and with the performance of most similar forces.

Within that category, violence with injury has seen an 11 per cent increase, with offences up by 445 incidents.

There has been no increase in the year under review in emergency calls in response to violent incidents. The evidence suggests that the increase is due in part to changes in Home Office recording processes

Violence without injury (which includes harassment) rose by 43.4 per cent (an increase of 1,395  offences). This reflects the national trend across England and Wales. Wiltshire’s most similar forces recorded a 40.4 per cent increase.

Harassment offences have risen from 243 in the previous year to 639.

Wiltshire has seen a 15 per cent increase in house burglaries (an increase of 165 offences). This followed a period of low volume and a spike in offences in December 2014 for which the offenders have been identified and dealt with.

The overall volume is in line with most similar forces and lower than the national figure. For every 1,000 households in Wiltshire there were 4.5 house burglaries, compares to 8.3 per 1,000 households across England Wales.

Public order offences have increased by 65.5 per cent. There were 1,392 offences last year compared to 841 the previous year. The volume of such crimes in Wiltshire is lower than both the national picture and Wiltshire’s most similar forces.

The increase is driven by “public fear, alarm and distress” which accounts for 86 per cent of public order offences. This involves threatening, abusive or insulting language or behaviour.

Racial and religiously aggravated offences have gone up by 47.2 per cent, which is higher than the national increase of 19.5 per cent. However the volume of offences in Wiltshire is small: less than one a day.

The increase is in line with increases in public fear, alarm and distress within the category of public order offences.

Angus Macpherson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “At first glance, the headline figure is a matter of concern. However, I am regularly briefed by the force statisticians and this increase was forecast as the improved crime recording practices bedded in.

“I am heartened that victims of crime, especially victims of sexual offences, have greater confidence in coming forward to the police and reporting what has happened to them.

“Victims and witnesses are a key priority for me, and I have commissioned services including Horizon, Splitz, and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Swindon which have greatly improved the care and support that victims receive.”

Chief Constable Mike Veale said: “As chief constable I require absolute integrity in our crime and incident recording and, despite it being an incredibly complex aspiration to achieve, we are improving our approach to recording month on month.

“I am sure this approach will inevitably mean we will record more crimes and incidents. Therefore I am confident that this predicted increase does not mean more crimes are being committed. It is down to considerably better recording practices and greater confidence among victims in feeling able to report crimes to us.

“The increase was anticipated and we must be prepared to see the trend continue as our crime recording measures improve.

“Wiltshire remains one of the safest counties in the country and I am committed to ensuring that remains the case. I am equally committed to ensuring the community has trust and confidence in our ability to ethically record crime and incidents.”