POLICE watchdogs last night branded a spiral in violent crime unacceptable and said the rise "must send alarm bells ringing at every level".

New figures show an increase of nearly 60 per cent in violence was the major reason for overall crime in the Cleveland Police area rising by more than 15 per cent.

The statistics comparing July to the same month last year also showed a 16.3 per cent rise in house burglaries, but drops in vehicle crime, shed break-ins, and sex offences.

Force chiefs said resources had been stretched throughout the month because more than 100 officers were sent to police the G8 conference in Edinburgh and others have been playing a role in the national fight against terrorism.

But the chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, Dave McLuckie, said last night: "Of course, it is true that similar rises are being seen right across the country, but that is no comfort to the public we serve."

Coun McLuckie called on Chief Constable Sean Price to attend the authority's next meeting in September to give a detailed report on where and why violent crime is occurring, and what he plans to do to tackle it.

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Bonnard said: "These are just one month's figures, but I do not underestimate the impact of rising crime on the public - nor the concerns of the police authority.

"However, if you look at the long-term, house burglaries over the last quarter are down by almost 11 per cent and in the past 12 months by 30 per cent.

"We are by no means complacent and have measures in place aimed at challenging and changing the behaviour and culture that leads to trouble."