CRIME levels in South Worcestershire, the Cotswolds and Warwickshire have risen in the last year according to figures released by the Home Office.

But all three police forces have claimed the increases were due almost entirely to new recording systems and more operators in new call management centres.

South Worcestershire divisional commander, Chief Supt Simon Adams, said: "Obviously we would like to see reported crime figures reduce and we are not complacent.

"However, these must be put into context with the figures which show that we are working harder, and that detection rates have increased. The only detection figure which fell - robbery - was due only to three less offences being detected during 12 months."

He added that during the past three months since the figures were collated, the robbery detection rate had risen to 50 per cent, with two Worcester men currently remanded in custody charged with a number of robberies.

Crime rose in the Cotswolds by ten per cent. Robbery, sex offences and violence account for most of the extra crimes committed in an area which covers Stroud.

Divisional commander chief superintendent John Henry said: "There is no doubt that much of the increase in the violent crime, can be accounted for by the change in recording standards and it is encouraging to see that detections in this area have nevertheless remained strong.

The highest rise in crime recorded in the Stratford district was violent crime up by nearly 38 percent, with more than 175 offences recorded that the previous year.

All three forces agreed that the public had a large part to play in the detection and reduction of crime and urged anyone who could give information on incidents to contact the police on 08457 444 888 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.