IT IS always worrying to read about a big rise in reported crime, especially when the crime in question is sexual in nature.

There are probably very good – and even encouraging – reasons for the 45 per cent increase in reported sex crime in North Yorkshire, however.

The number of sexual offences reported went up from 668 to 971 in a year, an increase of 303. But police say this is because victims now feel more confident in coming forward, partly because of the publicity surrounding the high-profile Operation Yewtree investigations into alleged sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile, and partly because of the opening of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in York.

If victims do feel more comfortable about coming forward, that is very good news. It is only if such crimes are reported that the perpetrators can be caught and stopped from offending again.

Crime levels overall in North Yorkshire have barely changed since a year ago, rising by only 0.2 per cent. Some types of crime did rise – violence was up 14 per cent, and robbery 11 per cent. But others fell: burglary was down 11 per cent, arson and criminal damage eight per cent.

North Yorkshire chief constable Dave Jones said it had been a challenging year for his force. But despite police spending cuts, North Yorkshire remains one of the safest places to live in the country.

The county’s police and crime commissioner Julia Mulligan put this down to the ‘relentless efforts’ of North Yorkshire police officers, PCSOs and special constables. We wouldn’t disagree. But Mrs Mulligan also said she believes the force can “carry on improving policing while saving money”.

Perhaps. We just hope the hard work of front line officers is not undermined by further cost cutting.