Police chiefs say they will continue to “prioritise crimes that cause the greatest harm” after a rise in crime across Staffordshire.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics showed a rise of 5% between July 2017 and June 2018 – an additional 4,379 incidents.
There was also a 14% jump in violent crime, which includes those using social media platforms to send messages that cause the victim distress or anxiety.
There has also been a sharp rise (42%) in stolen cars, while house burglaries and drug offences have fallen.
Deputy Chief Constable Nick Baker said: “We understand people’s concerns around any rise in crime and the impact it can have on the quality of life of those who live, work and visit Staffordshire and we will continue to prioritise the crimes that cause the greatest harm, as well as tackling the issues that cause local concern.
“Over the past 12 months we have introduced a more modernised service to policing in Staffordshire, which has seen a significant investment in neighbourhood policing.
“These officers are focusing more on proactive policing in communities, developing specialist capabilities for more complex crime and working with our partners to find effective ways of intervening early to prevent crime and harm.”
