AN INCREASE in the crime rate in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse is due to "more accurate recording", police have claimed.

The total number of crimes recorded in the local policing area (LPA) leapt by 10 per cent in 2015/16 compared to the previous year- up from 8,655 to 9,601.

Violent crimes – homicide, violence with injury, violence without injury and harassment – went up by 40 per cent and sexual offences rose 41 per cent, with rape reports increasing by 77 per cent.

Thames Valley Police said the crime rate was about 34 per cent lower than a decade ago, while charities said the increase was partly down to more people coming forward to report some offences.

Supt Rory Freeman, LPA commander for South and Vale said: "Despite 2015/16's slight rise there were still 5,070 fewer crimes reporters in the area than 10 years ago which is positive.

"I can understand that the rise last year may be concerning for the community but I'd like to take the opportunity to explain that the increase in recorded crime is largely attributable to more accurate recording of crime, both within Thames Valley and nationally."

Kristiana Wrixon of anti-stalking charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust said although stalking and harassment were now separate offences, there could be a link between the rise in people being more aware of stalking and the number of harassment offences recorded.

She said: "There have been a lot of high profile campaigns and also the introduction of the stalking law itself in 2012.

"That means we would expect the numbers to be going up.

"It is a combination of issues.

"We see a large number of stalking cases that involve a digital element – there is more contact from stalkers online."

Ms Wrixon added some stalking offences may still be recorded as harassment in error.

Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre director Lisa Ward said: "The data from both the crime statistics and our own statistics reconfirms the need for continued investment and resources in both criminal justice systems and support services to ensure that survivors are supported.

"It's likely that increased reporting reflects a gradual increase in sexual violence survivors' willingness to go through the criminal justice process.

"It's also been suggested the increase might be partly due to improved recording practice on the part of the police, which we welcome."

Robbery of personal property dropped by 10 per cent and drugs possession offences decreased by 22 per cent.