CRIME in Wiltshire rose by 14 per cent during June 2015 to June 2016, according to the Office for National Statistics.

But overall, the demand for police services has remained stable and in line with normal season trends.

Wiltshire Police anticipate the number of recorded crimes will continue to increase, as modern and accurate recording practices continue to have an effect on statistics.

The figures show that violence with injury is below the national average of 7.6 incidents per thousand, with the current level in Wiltshire at 7.1.

The increase in recorded robbery is higher than others in the region, but this falls below the national average, with 0.3 incidents per thousand compared to 0.9 nationally.

Possession of offensive weapons has shown a 67 per cent increase, which is the largest increase across England and Wales.

But this is still below the national level, with 0.4 per thousand in Wiltshire and 0.5 nationally.

The majority of this figure involves knives and sharp implements rather than firearms, and it is a particular issue for Wiltshire Police.

Police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson said: “It can be disheartening to see a rise in crime, but this increase continues to be reflective of the changes the force has made to the way it records crime.

“This is a work in progress and I would expect to see these statistics plateau over the next year, at which point I can be confident that all the crime reported by the public is being correctly recorded by the police.”

He added: “My plan is to continue to focus on protecting those who are most vulnerable, and we need to consider what we are doing to educate the public about the danger to themselves and to others when carrying weapons.”