Crime is increasing in Essex. New Government figures show all major categories of crime, except fraud and burglary, were more common in 2003/4 than in 2002/3.

And violent crimes, excluding sexual assaults and robbery, have rocketed by 18 per cent.

But the British Crime Survey figures, published today, show Essex remains the ninth safest of the 39 police force areas in England.

Though 89 people in every 1,000 were victims of crime, up from 84 in 2002/3, that compares with a national average of 113.

The county had the third lowest crime rate in the East of England and 28 per cent of crimes were solved, a one per cent increase.

An Essex Police spokesman defended the force's performance.

He said: "It is pleasing that Essex remains in the top quarter of the country's safest counties, and that we continue to raise our performance in detecting crime.

"It is encouraging to see that our officers and staff continue tirelessly in their efforts to boost detections.

"However, we are not complacent about our successes, and acknowledge that even a good performance can be improved upon."

Published Thursday July 22, 2004