VIOLENT crime in Petersfield has risen by more than 47 per cent in the last 12 months.

The latest crime figures for Hampshire were released this week and reveal increases in almost every category of crime for the town. Across the board crime in Petersfield has risen by 17 per cent.

House burglaries are up by 12 per cent, vehicle crime is up 8.6 per cent and more robberies have been detected. The number of violent crime incidents has risen from 113 to 167.

The only drop in the figures are in burglaries from Ònon dwellingsÓ which are down from 103 to 84.

But Petersfield inspector Steve Sargent says although he takes all crime figures seriously he is not alarmed by the latest publication.

He said: ÒThe figures may be higher this year but they are still down on previous years.

ÒViolent crimes can be anything from sexual abuse incidents, assaults or incidents that arise from late-night drinking.

ÒThe bulk of the violent crimes that we have recorded are a result of the increase in drinking culture, this is mainly young men in their 20Õs.

ÒI would say alcohol is more freely available than it has been in history. If this is the way society wants it than we will have to expect more violent crimes.Ó

The amount of crime in Alton and Whitehill has dropped this year by around seven per cent. At the current rates of increase and decrease PetersfieldÕs crime figures will overtake the two East Hampshire towns in the next year.

But Herne Farm Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Geoff Eyre said a different picture had been painted at a recent meeting of the East Hampshire Community Safety Partnership at the Millennium Hall in Liphook.

He said: ÒAt the meeting we were told that the crime figures have gone down. It was said that East Hampshire is one of the 10 safest places to live in the country.Ó

East Hampshire community safety officer Inspector Bill Pearce has been working on East HampshireÕs latest community safety strategy which he says will outline targets and action that will be taken in the district for the next three years.

The strategy will be officially published on April 23 at East Hampshire District Council.

Work on the project began with research undertaken by the University of Portsmouth. They used various sources of information, including police data and figures from the local authorities.

Insp Pearce said: ÒThis research informed us of the emerging trends. We also used data collected from local people.

ÒThe first strategy that was carried out in 1998 was the first of its kind and was more of a learning exercise. What we learnt from that exercise is how organisations can benefit from working together. We can learn far more from working together than as individuals.Ó

Insp Pearce said the 2002 to 2005 strategy consulted local people to find out what are considered the important issues.

He said: ÒEast Hampshire is a very low crime area and is probably one of the safest places in the country to live in. However the fear of crime can be a problem.

ÒThe latest community safety strategy outlines plans to tackle this. We are trying to increase police visibility with the mobile police stations.

ÒWe also have to look at decay in the community, like smashed windows, and put that right.Ó

He added: ÒThis is an action- based strategy that has been set out very clearly. It includes many short-term, medium-term and long-term aims.

ÒWe also intend to continually monitor the situation. If any issues come to the fore over the next three years we will be able to respond to them as they arise.Ó

Insp Pearce said crime figures had been part of the research involved in putting together the community safety strategy, but said police were more interested in the causes.

He said: ÒItÕs not the results that we are looking at, itÕs the underlying issues that lead to the crimes.Ó