CRIME figures have rocketed by a worrying 17 per cent in Devon and Cornwall over the last year, statistics out today have revealed.

The two counties jump compares with a 10 per cent rise nationally which is still the most substantial increase in the last decade.

The biggest escalation - between June 2016-17 and the same period last year - was in rape offences with a nearly 40 per cent leap from 1,040 to 1,446.

Other sexual offences also rose at the same alarming rate with 1,746 matters recorded last year compared with this year’s phenomenal total of 2,424.

The third highest increase across the region was in murders with a 36 per cent hike from 14 homicides to 19.

Dwelling burglaries rose by 13 per cent from 2,402 to 2,723 while public order incidents leapt by 32 per cent from 4,299 to 5,658.

A 33 per cent rise in possession of offensive weapons was recorded, up to 724 from 544.

Robberies saw a 23 per cent increase from 374 to 461 while violence without injury went up a massive 33 per cent from 12,825 to more than 17,000.

Only two crime groups experienced a drop. Possession of drugs fell five per cent from 2,930 to 2,784 and drugs trafficking dipped slightly by just .8 per cent from 716 to 710.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Netherton, said: ‘We have worked hard as a force to improve our response in a number of key crime areas such as rape, sexual offences, modern slavery and domestic violence.

‘In recent years we have seen a huge rise in both current and historic reporting in these areas, and I am encouraged that victims are finding the courage to come forward and reach out to us knowing that they will be supported.

‘No victim should suffer in silence, and we will continue to work hard to support these people and to give a voice to each and every one of them, regardless if this sees a rise in our crime figures.’

He added: ‘We have also seen significant changes in the way some types of crimes are recorded and categorised. Most significantly, harassment taking place online is now recorded as violent crime rather than as a telecommunications offence, which has led to large statistical rises in this category.

‘In addition to statistical rises caused by improved crime recording, increased victim confidence to report, and changing crime categories, we believe that we are now starting to see some increases in crime taking place in local communities.

‘Such rises are being reported nationally and are generally being seen for higher-volume, less serious types of crimes.’

He said in a statement: ‘It is too early to explain exactly why this is happening, as the reasons are likely to be complex, related to societal factors and influenced by changes to services across the whole public sector over the last few years. We have experienced an unprecedented volume of 999 calls in June 2017, as reflected across the emergency services nationally.’

He added: ‘According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, Devon and Cornwall Police came first out of 42 Forces in seven out of eight categories which were - overall confidence, reliability, respect, fair treatment, community understanding, community priorities and police dealing with crime.

‘The perceived risk of becoming a victim of crime (personal) is the third lowest in the country and perceived risk of crime (household) is fourth lowest. This shows that residents feel safe in our area.’