Recorded crime has gone up by 14 per cent in a year, new official police figures show, as robbery, mugging and violent crime all increased.

Overall the statistics, which record the number of crimes reported to police over the last year in England and Wales, paint a dramatic picture of increased offending in almost every category.

Robbery is up by 29 per cent compared to the previous year, while stalking is up 36 per cent and rape 29 per cent. Knife crime is up by 21 per cent.

Public order offences have increased more then any other area, by 44 per cent, while possession of a weapon has also increased dramatically by 26 per cent.

Drug offences have fallen, as have non-domestic burglary crimes, but in every other area increases have been reported.

However the crime survey of England and Wales, seen as an accurate reflection of how people experience crime, shows crime is down.