GWENT Police has seen the largest rise in recorded crime out of all of the police forces in Wales.

Data released last week showed the amount of crime recorded by Gwent Police had risen by 14 per cent in the last year from 38858 offences to 44364.

Recorded crime rose in all four of the Welsh police forces and rose by 12 per cent across all of the country while it was 14 per cent rise for England and Wales combined.

Crime rose across all but one of the categories recorded with the category of violence without injury seeing the largest rise.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert said that theses figures showed the need for more funding for the police forces.

He said: “The increase in recorded crime nationally in England and Wales demonstrates how vital it is that the UK Central Government provides more appropriate levels of funding for policing services so we can enhance our resources to tackle some of these crimes, especially the crimes which affect the most vulnerable.

“You cannot tackle crime without resources and the current settlement from the UK Government is insufficient to respond to current demand, let alone further increases.

“This is why Police and Crime Commissioners are increasingly having to turn to the local population to bridge that funding gap. 

“The figures released today show that the picture is varied across different types of crime.

“Some increases can be explained by changes and improvements in recording practices by Gwent Police over the last four years and also a greater willingness of victims to come forward, particularly in cases of sexual violence.

“However, the fact of the matter is that we have fewer resources than six or seven years ago but the demand on our service is increasing daily whether it’s from the increased recorded crime, more complex crime being committed or a greater need to safeguard the vulnerable in society. Our officers and staff are being stretched like never before.

“I will be discussing this data with the Chief Constable and our partners locally and nationally to address some of the increases in recorded crime.”