CRIME in Oxford has fallen marginally but robberies and burglaries have risen in the past year, new figures reveal.

There were 1,116 burglaries in Oxford between April 1 last year and March 31, compared to 982 the previous year an increase of 13.6 per cent and there were 294 robberies, compared to 263 in the previous year an increase of 15.7 per cent.

But overall crime in the city has dropped by just 0.5 per cent, which is just over one less offence a week.

Chief Supt David McWhirter, Oxfordshire police commander, said: "Over the last five years the number of burglaries in Oxford has come down to three per day.

"Robbery has gone up by 40 over the last year, which is less than one per week and isn't significant in my view.

"Oxfordshire is a safe county in terms of the crime categories we are looking at."

Chief Supt McWhirter said drives like the ongoing Operation Backlash had been launched in Oxford to clamp down on the criminals. He did not agree with research by insurance firm Endsleigh, which ranked Oxford as one of the top five places for burglaries.

He said: "The figures we go by are the recorded figures and these are audited by the Home Office. Oxford is not a problem area for burglaries.

"Most crimes are committed by a tiny population of individuals.

"We have become good at identifying those offenders and have got support mechanisms, Drug Action Teams and youth offending teams.

"It is not just about catching them and putting them before the courts. The real long-term challenge is to change their behaviour."

Criminal damage is the biggest problem in the city, with 3,099 incidents reported to city police over the last year, and 2,981 the previous year.

Chief Supt McWhirter said: "We have come through the change to licensing laws without the violence on the street, but we are seeing low-level criminal damage. Part of it is late-night drunken yobs on their way home damaging a car.

"Also in Oxford city, some criminal damage can relate to animal rights people using graffiti and supergluing locks to cause disruption at the university.

"We have plans for dealing with criminal damage, including the roll-out of neighbourhood policing and seeing the community and other agencies dealing with the problem."

Despite the slight decrease in overall crime, the city has beaten its crime reduction target for the year, of 11,824 as there were 11,681 crimes committed.

Supt Jim Trotman said: "As local police commander for the city it is my responsibility with my officers and staff to work hard to make Oxford a safer place to live and work.

"If you commit crime in Oxford my message is absolutely clear, the police and partners will work tirelessly to catch you."