Crime has risen by over 10 per cent over the last year in Powys, official police records reveal.

Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 9,563 offences in Powys in the 12 months to June, according to the Office for National Statistics – an increase of 13 per cent compared to the previous year, when there were 8,437.

Of the biggest rises in Powys over the last 12 months has been sexual offences with 449 recorded – an increase of 23 per cent from the year before.

This is part of a national trend that saw over 70,000 rape offences recorded in England and Wales the year to June - a record high and an increase of 20 per cent from the previous year and double what it was six years ago.

Meanwhile, violent crime has risen in the area by 19 per cent to 4,661 incidents. Criminal damage and arson were also up 18 per cent as were stalking and harassment offences. Public order offences were up 16 per cent and theft offences rose by 10 per cent.

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However, at 71.9 crimes per 1,000 people, the overall crime rate in Powys is still far lower than the average rate across England and Wales, which stood at 91.3 crime per thousand person.

There has also been a noticeable drop in certain crimes such as drug offences which have dropped by 30 per cent and possession of weapons such as firearms or knives which were also down 11 per cent.

Dyfed- Powys Police Chief Inspector Jacqui Lovatt said the large rise was partially due to the unusually low crime figures in recent years caused by lockdown.

“We acknowledge the fact that reported statistics show an increase in the number of crimes being recorded in the year to June 2022 compared with the previous 12 months,” said Chief Inspector Lovatt.

“A significant factor in this is the unprecedented year we experienced prior to June 2021.

“The force as a whole saw a reduction in the number of crimes being recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions the country faced. Any comparison with this time is highly likely to see an increase in crimes recorded as people were free to live more normally again."

The rise has also come, according to Chief Inspector Lovatt, because the Police have looked to improve their processes – including the recording of crimes.

“Since the summer of 2020, we have been actively engaged in an extensive programme of work aimed at improving our processes relating to the recording, assessment, triage, investigation and finalisation of crime," she added.

“Specific focus has been on ensuring that the force correctly records all crimes, including those crimes within a crime which has led to an increase on figures although not necessarily on demand.

“As an organisation, we are firmly committed to supporting victims and putting them at the heart of everything we do.”