SEX offences, violence and vandalism continue to rise on Teesside.

Cleveland Police have recorded a 46 per cent increase in reports of violence - nearly 3,000 more offences than the year before - while 2,300 offences of criminal damage were reported.

But the force says new Home Office counting methods are distorting a picture which should otherwise show a big reduction in overall crime.

Cleveland police said sex crimes had risen because more "historical offences" were being reported.

House burglaries are down by more than 11 per cent, compared to the same period last year, while there is a 12 per cent drop in car crime. There is a 5.5 per cent reduction in robberies.

Assistant Chief Constable Adam Briggs said: "The good news today is that the offending, which affects most people, is down. There are 837 fewer victims of house burglary, 624 fewer people had their garages or sheds broken into and there are 1,800 fewer victims of vehicle crime.

"We have seen major falls in thefts and forgery, and 79 fewer victims of robbery. It all makes a difference in the quality of life to people in our communities."

He said had there not been a change in the counting rules, the force would have achieved a major reduction in crime figures.

He said: "Despite the slight rise in crime of one per cent the force has been successful, particularly in the offences the Government wanted us to prioritise."