CRIME has risen over the last year in Anglesey, official police records reveal.

North Wales Police recorded 5,389 offences in Anglesey in the 12 months to March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was an increase of 23 per cent compared to the previous year, when there were 4,388.

However, at 76.5 crimes per 1,000 people, that was far lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 89.3.

Of the crimes recorded in the area over the last 12 months, 248 were sexual offences – an increase of 23 per cent from the year before.

MORE: Gwynedd: Official figures show rise in crime

Meanwhile, violent crime has risen in the area, from 2,185 to 2,761 over this period.

One of the main factors behind this increase was the rise in stalking and harassment, which rose by 32 per cent, from 970 incidents to 1,285.

And theft offences rose by niine per cent, with 659 incidents recorded in the 12 months to March.

At 9.4 crimes per 1,000 people, that was far lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 25.1.

Crimes recorded in Anglesey included:

  • 248 sexual offences, a rise of 23%
  • 2,761 violent offences, a rise of 26%
  • 598 incidents of criminal damage and arson, up 13%
  • 178 drug offences, down 2%
  • 27 possession of weapons such as firearms or knives, an increase of seven
  • 784 public order offences, up 45%
  • 659 theft offences, a rise of 9%
  • 1,285 stalking and harassment offences, up 32%