VIOLENCE, stalking, theft, robberies, sexual crimes and vehicle offences are all on the rise in Sussex.

Figures released yesterday show crime is on the increase in the city with some types rising as much as 28 per cent.

But Sussex Police said the county remains a safe place to live.

Between June last year and this year there were more than 70,000 violent offences, including 13 homicides.

A force spokesman said: “Total crime has increased in Sussex by four per cent; this is six per cent below the national average increase of ten per cent.

“Sussex Police is very proud of its record of recording crime accurately and we are one of the leading forces in the country for this.”

Between June last year and this year there were more than 70,000 violent offences, including 13 homicides. The police said homicide includes murder, manslaughter, infanticide and corporate manslaughter.

Some of these homicides were historic, including 11 manslaughter offences related to the Shoreham air disaster in 2015.

Stalking and harassment offences rose by 28 per cent in the last year.

The police said: “We are encouraged by the increase because it signals

an increase in reporting to police.

“It also demonstrates the valuable work Sussex Police and the Sussex police and crime commissioner have done to fund officer training and to raise awareness of this very serious issue.”

Vehicle offences rose by 19 per cent, violent offences rose by 12 per cent and sexual offences rose by 15 per cent.

The police said: “We are also encouraged by the 15 per cent increase in reports of sexual offences, which suggests people have trust and confidence in reporting it to us.

“All reports of this nature will be taken extremely seriously and will be fully investigated.”

The offences that fell last year were theft from the person and bicycle theft, shoplifting, criminal damage and drug offences.

“While the increase in reports of violence is below the national average increase of 19 per cent, we always encourage victims and witnesses to come forward, particularly in cases of domestic abuse, which in the past have been under-reported.

“We are aware of and are looking to better understand the increase in vehicle offences.

“This includes series of crimes, and can consist of thefts of vehicles and thefts from vehicles.”

Across the South East, crime has risen more than the national average, including a 58 per cent increase in homicides.