SEX offence, violent crime and assault rates are all up in Essex during the past year.
 

Crime has risen in ten out of 12 categories in the county with drug offences and criminal damage the only areas which have seen a fall in the rate.
 

There have been hundreds more burglaries and thousands of extra thefts in 2011/12 compared to 2010/11.
 

Figures are at their highest for three years but are much lower than the six years previous.
 

Almost 100 extra residents have become victims of sex crimes and more than 20,000 people have become victims of violent crime.
 

Essex Police said the changes could be down to more people reporting crime and changes to the way crime is recorded but admitted the results were “disappointing”.
 

Deputy Chief Constable Derek Benson added the past three months have been more promising.
 

But concerns have been raised about what may happen in the future after the force had to find £42million in savings following Government cuts.
 

Crime rates in Essex were already above target even before this year’s increase.