RECORDED crime in Dorset rose by 15 per cent last year, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

The increase in crime from April 2015 to March 2016 was predicted last year and reflects an overall trend across the UK.

Changes to national rules around recording crime were a factor in the increase, such as the inclusion of malicious communications as a form of harassment and the move to report all incidents that take place in prisons, many of which were previously dealt with internally.

Deputy Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “The increase is largely due to people’s enhanced confidence in reporting crime to us, the improvements we have made in our crime recording systems and improved compliance with Home Office Counting Rules.

"These factors have led to Dorset following the national trend of higher crime statistics."

Policing in Dorset was graded as 'good' in last year's Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary vulnerability inspections.

The force was praised for its work in encouraging people to step forward and report crimes involving vulnerable victims, such as domestic abuse and sexual offences.

The ONS figures showed a 20 per cent increase in reported sex offences in Dorset, in line with the national average.

Deputy Chief Constable Vaughan added: "It is clear this is the biggest rise in recorded crime for many years.

"However, with many changes over the last year - both to the national recording rules all police forces follow and our internal systems - they cannot be fairly compared like-for-like with previous years."

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: "Ensuring that people feel confident reporting crime, whatever their situation, is a critical part of British policing. 

"I am confident that the increase we are seeing is due to this enhanced trust, along with better recording practices, reflecting trends nationally.

"Reducing the overall number of victims of crime in Dorset is a long term objective of my second term in office and Dorset Police will continue to adapt with the changing nature of policing to aim at achieving that."

Deputy Chief Constable Vaughan said that the latest figures should be seen as a "more accurate" baseline with which to compare future figures.

He said: "I can reassure people that Dorset remains a safe place to live, work and visit.

"The officers and staff of Dorset Police are committed to ensuring it stays that way."