by Martin Jefferies

There were more sexual offences in Kent and Medway last year, according to the latest crime figures.

Around 1,400 offences were recorded in 2010/11 - a rise of 2.3 per cent on the previous year.

It means Kent has the 12th highest figure in England and Wales, although the county is in the bottom 14 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales for the number of sexual offences per 1,000 people.

A spokesman for Kent Police said the increase could be down to victims feeling more confident when coming forward.

The British Crime Survey, released by the Home Office and based on interviews with 46,000 adults, also suggests a sharp rise in the number of thefts, excluding those from vehicles.

Nearly 30,000 were recorded last year - up 10 per cent on 12 months ago.

In total, there were more than 105,000 recorded offences last year, down 0.9 per cent on 2009/10.

They included 20,000 violent crimes (down six per cent), 11,800 burglaries (down five) and 21,000 incidents of criminal damage (down six).

There were significantly fewer violent crimes (12) and burglaries (73) per 1,000 people than the national average (15 and 111 respectively).

But only six police forces in England and Wales reported more incidents of criminal damage than Kent.

Paul Brandon, assistant chief constable of Kent Police, said: "We're pleased to see a continuing fall in overall crime in Kent. However, we will not be complacent and will continue to work to reduce crime and the impact of crime on our county."