RECORDED crimes across Worcestershire have leapt 16 per cent in one year, according to a detailed breakdown from police chiefs.

A new report sent to Worcestershire County Council has revealed the number of recorded offences rose from 2,442 to 2,832 in the 12-month period up to April.

As your Worcester News revealed in July, police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore has produced a raft of new data revealing how rapes were up 75 per cent across the West Mercia force area and all crimes increased five per cent.

A fresh breakdown for Worcestershire shows how hate crimes were up 39 per cent, from 25 reports to 32, domestic abuse is up 27 per cent to from 657 cases to 834, and alcohol-related crimes are up 15 per cent from 402 reports to 463.

On the other hand, anti-social behaviour incidents have dropped 10 per cent to 1,758.

As we revealed last month, force chiefs have insisted they are not overly concerned about the trends, saying it reflects far more confidence in the police, but have admitted worry over the rape data.

The figures were debated by councillors during a meeting of the overview, scrutiny and performance board at County Hall.

Councillor Chris Bloore, who is taking the lead on scrutinising crime and disorder trends, said: "One of the concerning areas here is the offences with a 'DV' (domestic violence) marker on it - that's gone up significantly.

"Two years ago we had a very good conversation about whether we take this as a positive or a negative (a rise in recorded crimes) and whether we'd done a good job in raising awareness which means more people report it.

"I'm after reassurances that it's a good thing, and that we are discovering more cases which are out there, or whether this is actually a problem which is on the rise."

Deputy police and crime commissioner Barrie Sheldon said: "You're quite right, we have seen a significant rise in violent crimes over the last financial year, particularly around rape, sexual offences, domestic abuse and hate crime.

"But there is positive news within that - it does not mean to say that because recorded crime figures are rising, that more crime is taking place."

Superintendent Charlie Hill said a "lot of the sexual offences are heinous crimes that were hidden away" for years until more people recently found the courage to come forward.

Last month the force said the so-called 'Savile effect' of more people reporting historic sexual abuses was driving some of the data.

* To see our story about the rise in recorded rapes click HERE.