Sex cases up as crime rate falls

Violent crime and sexual offences increased last year in Norfolk but police say they have included incidents not covered before in their figures.

Sex crime increased by 12% and violence was up 16.5% as public order offences and cases of neglect of children were included for the first time.

Norfolk police claim they are winning the fight against crime with total offences down by 4.6%.

House burglaries dropped 30% from 2,936 incidents in 2003 to 2,046 in 2004.

Thefts from vehicles also fell 30% with 1,884 fewer offences being committed last year compared to 2003 and robberies were down 29% from 455 cases to 324 in the same period.

The force's overall detection rate for 2004-05 was 28.2% - a rise of 1.7%.

Chief Inspector Roger Wiltshire said: "Our success is based on continual development of intelligence-led policing.

"This has allowed us to focus on our key priorities. It also enables us to work effectively with our partner law enforcement agencies."