SUSSEX Police have been rated as good at recording crime by inspectors – but more than 5,000 crimes went unrecorded last year.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary found that the force records 95 per cent of crimes reported to it.

Inspectors found that all reports of rape were recorded and decisions to cancel records of violent and sexual allegations were all correct.

Inspector Zoë Billingham said: “The force has continued to make sound improvements following our 2014 inspection.

“Although we have graded Sussex Police as good, there is still room for improvement.

“The force is still not recording a large number of crimes each year properly – approximately 5,300 crimes, including some serious crimes, such as violence and sexual offences. HMIC expects crimes to be recorded accurately and for victims to receive a good service from the police.

“If the crime is not recorded properly at the outset, then this will not happen.

“Although I will continue to monitor Sussex Police, I am very reassured by the good progress that the force has made in this vitally important aspect of policing.”