Crime has risen over the last year in Bracknell Forest, official police records reveal.

Thames Valley Police recorded 7,058 offences in Bracknell Forest in the 12 months to March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was an increase of 20% compared to the previous year, when there were 5,888.

However, at 56.8 crimes per 1,000 people, that was far lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 89.3.

Of the crimes recorded in the area over the last 12 months, 308 were sexual offences – an increase of 40% from the year before.

Meanwhile, violent crime has risen in the area, from 2,208 to 2,752 over this period.

One of the main factors behind this increase was the rise in stalking and harassment, which rose by 29%, from 733 incidents to 943.

And theft offences rose by 6%, with 1,916 incidents recorded in the 12 months to March.

At 15.4 crimes per 1,000 people, that was lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 25.1.

Crimes recorded in Bracknell Forest included:

308 sexual offences, a rise of 40%

2,752 violent offences, a rise of 25%

700 incidents of criminal damage and arson, up 5%

197 drug offences, down 21%

45 possession of weapons such as firearms or knives, a decrease of 20

988 public order offences, up 96%

1,916 theft offences, a rise of 6%

943 stalking and harassment offences, up 29%