SEXUAL offences in North Yorkshire have risen by 45 per cent in a year, the latest crime figures have shown.

The latest report from The Office of National Statistics shows 34,499 crimes were reported in North Yorkshire in 2014, showing an increase of less than one per cent (0.2 per cent, or75 crimes), on the previous year - and the area remains the second lowest crime location in the country.

The increase in the number of sexual offences reported (up by 303 to 971) was put down to an increased confidence in victims, who felt more able to contact police, particularly over historical complaints in the wake of Operation Yewtree, and the opening of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre in York.

The report also showed a rise in violence against the person of 14 per cent, with 7,002 incidents, and an 11 per cent hike in robberies, with 136 recorded incidents.

Victim-based crimes have fallen by one per cent (327 fewer crimes), while crimes against society - including drug and public order offences - have increased by 11 per cent (402 more crimes).

Chief Constable Dave Jones said 2014 was a challenging year for the force.

However, new policing styles had helped reduce domestic burglaries by 11 per cent (177 fewer incidents), criminal damage and arson by almost eight per cent (448 fewer incidents), while also supporting one of the biggest events in North Yorkshire's recent history, the Grand Départ.

Mr Jones said: "Our officers and staff have demonstrated sheer tenacity in tackling serious and organized crime, particularly the scourge of drug dealing in the Scarborough area. As well as the unstinting work of our Major Crime Unit to progress highly complex investigations.

"Operation Hawk also continues to go from strength to strength in preventing and targeting travelling criminals who mistakenly think they can prey upon our most vulnerable and rural communities.

"Together with the Police and Crime Commissioner and through effective partnership working within the county and across the region, we pledge that there will be no let-up in our effort to keep people safe and secure."

Theft also fell by three per cent (336 fewer incidents, 10,931 in total), and offences against motor vehicles fell by 417 incidents to 2,247 - a decrease of 16 per cent.

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "North Yorkshire continues to be one of the safest places to live in the country. We have achieved this despite meeting challenging savings targets and I believe we can carry on improving policing while saving money.

"These results are also testament to the relentless effort of our police officers, PCSOs and Special Constables, as well as police staff and volunteers who do so much to support the frontline too."