THE number of domestic burglaries reported in Dorset has spiralled by more than three hundred per cent in just 12 months.

A surge in serious crimes has been recorded in the county, with the overall number of offences up eight per cent for the year until June 2018.

Violent crime which results in an injury has increased by 21 per cent, while stalking and harassment offences are up 44 per cent. Robbery is up by 23 per cent, and sexual offences are up 16 per cent.

Public order offences have also increased by 31 per cent.

However, the most shocking statistics in the round-up by the Office for National Statistics reveal non-residential burglary is up 286 per cent, while raids on people’s homes has increased by 326 per cent, from 642 to 2,738.

The Daily Echo recently revealed that eight out of 10 home burglaries in Dorset are going unsolved as policing reaches ‘crisis point’.

Police told the Echo every case is reviewed for its “solvability”, and while all viable lines of enquiry are investigated, it is also “honest and realistic to recognise some crimes simply aren’t solvable”.

They also said that since April, detached garages, sheds or outbuildings that are within the boundary of, or form part of a dwelling will be recorded under the burglary residential classification.

Top officers from Dorset Police yesterday said the overall increase is in line with a national rise of 10 per cent across England and Wales.

Deputy Chief Constable David Lewis said officers in Dorset dealt with a record level of 999 and 101 calls over the summer.

“It is clear that, like other forces, the increase in reported crime across Dorset mirrors the national trend, particularly for crimes such as domestic and sexual offences,” he said.

“This can be attributed to our increased emphasis on recording crime as accurately as possible, as well as increased confidence in people coming forwards to report to us.

“We have always fought to be honest with our public and it is the case that some of the increase is down to a genuine rise in crime taking place in local communities.

“All officers and staff are focused on working hard to reduce crime and to support victims.

“We will also continue to place a strong emphasis on our reporting responsibilities, even if this leads to an increase in reported crime, as accurate crime reporting is essential to maintain public trust.”

He said the increase in violent crime can be partly attributed to improvements in crime recording and a review of crimes which should fall into the category, but previously didn’t.

Despite the figures, the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is still “very low”, he said.

“In contrast, violence without injury increased by 10 per cent in Dorset, which is lower than the national increase in the same category of 21.2 per cent,” he said.

“However, the figure still places Dorset as the 14th lowest force in the country in terms of crimes per 1,000 people, reinforcing that Dorset remains a safe place to live, work and visit.”

Despite increases in reports of many offences, the force saw some big successes in the new statistics.

Dorset's roads policing teams have overseen a 38 per cent drop in the number of people killed or seriously injured by illegal driving on the county’s roads.

Dorset is recognised nationally for its traffic officers. The force routinely runs drink- and drug-driving initiatives to tackle problem drivers.

Theft was 24 per cent lower than the previous year, while shoplifting was down more than five per cent and drug offences were down 11 per cent.