MORE sexual offences including rape were recorded in Dorset over the last year.

Dorset Police said it has seen saw an increase of 21 per cent in sexual offences, in the 12 months to December according to the Office for National Statistics.

The figures show rape offences have increased across Dorset by 22 per cent compared with a national increase of 20.7 per cent.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: "The Force is committed to reducing and preventing sexual offences, including rape, and works closely with our partners to improve the journey for victims and increase positive outcomes.

"We encourage victims to report offences, support and safeguard the most vulnerable in our communities, and provide a safe environment for victims and encourage them to come forward and report crimes."

The Force continues its focus on reducing violence against women and girls by targeting crimes such as sexual offending and domestic abuse and providing meaningful support to victims.

David Sidwick, police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Dorset, said: "Since being elected in May 2021, I've been working on implementing my Police and Crime Plan.

"The plan tackles violence, domestic abuse, stalking and other high harm areas such as violence against women and girls (VAWG)."

Dorset Police also delivered a reduction in burglaries of 20.9 per cent, compared with the national decrease of 15.4 per cent, and this equates to 267 fewer burglaries of business premises. Additionally, thefts were reduced across the county by 4.9 per cent.

The latest figures show Dorset has seen a small increase in violence – an increase of 0.5 per cent however the increase nationally is 13.3 per cent.

Violence with injury was up by 4.3 per cent, compared to the national average, which increased by 7.7 per cent.

PCC Sidwick said: "I'm pleased to note the improvement made with regard to business crime – especially burglary and theft offences, and I know that many Dorset business owners will welcome these statistics.

"I believe that business crime is not victimless – indeed in Dorset, shoplifting alone accounts for almost 20 per cent of all business crime, and so my work to create the Dorset Safer Business Partnership is essential if we are to continue to address issues such as retail crime, violence against shopworkers, and also to improve confidence in policing.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the total number of offences in Dorset fell by two per cent, with police recording 17,248 crimes over the course of the year.

This puts the overall crime rate at 45.4 per 1,000 people, compared to a national average of 85.5 per cent.

Other crimes recorded in Dorset included 7,138 violent offences - a decrease of one per cent; 4,438 theft offences - down six per cent; 2,408 incidents of criminal damage and arson - down seven per cent; 90 possession of weapons such as firearms or knives - down nine per cent; and 1,554 public order offences, up 23 per cent.