CRIME has risen by 28.9 per cent in Newquay during February compared to the previous month.

There were 170 offences in the 28 days up to February 28, which included 27 violence with injury incidents that resulted in a 92.9 per cent rise.

Other offence groups that saw an increase included violence without injury after 25 incidents were recorded, a 38.9 per cent hike.

There were 19 stalking and harassment incidents, which was a 18.8 per cent rise, three business burglaries that equated to a 200 per cent increase and 21 shoplifting incidents resulting in a 162.5 per cent hike.

Police recorded 14 public order offences, which was a 250 per cent increase.

A number of offence groups saw a decrease including two vehicle offences, which was a 50 per cent reduction.

There were 15 criminal damage incidents equating to a 16.7 per cent decease and three possession of drug offences that resulted in a 57.1 per cent reduction.

Inspector Steve Johnson revealed February’s crime figures at Newquay Town Council’s meeting on Wednesday, March 5.

Insp Johnson said: “We would expect a natural increase as we head towards the Easter period now.

“This has been the same year on year and will come as no surprise to those members with Newquay still being the seasonal resort we love. There are notable rises though in a few areas.

“Commercial burglaries are down the year to date, which is good and although it shows an increase of 200 per cent for February.

“It is important to look at the totals in conjunction with the percentage figures. This amount to 3 in February and whilst obviously this is still too many, it does demonstrate where we would normally be.

“The three offences in relation to this though are in relation to the garage/off license breaks where cigarettes and alcohol were stolen.

“These overlapped into February, but suspects were identified, and they have now been subject of arrests.

“Shoplifting has increased, and we know why.

“A few weeks ago, we were looking good due to the positive action we had taken against many of those committing this type of offence, but we have moved on so we will start again.

“The other notable area is public order offences.

“This is a combination of both a slight increase in those offences and a recording matter which is inflating the figures.

“There are decreases in a number of offence types including Vehicle offences, which includes Interference and damage), arson and criminal damage.

“This is due to a number of tactics we have used and some work still ongoing. In particular towards the tagging and graffiti aspect.

“In more general terms we are making some progress with the street rangers whilst still awaiting an update from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner regarding any future plans in this area.

“Boardmasters planning has started already and I am ensuring any feedback captured from last year is fed back into this year’s event.”