VIOLENT offences are increasing in Oxford despite the overall level of crime dropping, new police figures revealed last night.

The most serious violence cases – including wounding, endangering life and grievous bodily harm without intent – soared by almost 26 per cent between 2009/10 and 2010/11, from 85 to 107 offences, with murder and serious sexual offences also increasing.

However, the overall crime figure for the city fell two per cent, from 18,629 between April 2009 and April 2010 to 18,261 between April 2010 and April 2011 – the lowest rate in 13 years.

Last night, Oxford’s top police officer said the city was a safe place to live and vowed to continue reducing crime rates.

Serious sexual offences rose 1.8 per cent year-on-year, from 165 to 168, but the number of rapes dropped by almost seven per cent, from 58 to 54.

There were two murders in the city last year, up from one in both the previous two years, but less serious assaults dropped by 23.4 per cent, from 1,197 to 917.

Supt Amanda Pearson, area commander for Oxford, said: “There are 22 more crimes of the most serious violence.

“It is fair to say that most people are unlikely to be a victim of the most serious violence, unless they have put themselves in certain circumstances. The rise in serious sexual offences is partly down to more people coming forward to report crimes.”

Recorded cases of domestic abuse fell by 20.5 per cent, from 1,060 to 843 but homophobic incidents rose 171.4 per cent, from seven to 19.

The total number of other crimes, including theft, shoplifting, criminal damage and drug possessions, rose by 1.1 per cent, from 14,991 to 15,161.

Earlier this year Thames Valley Police revealed 114 policing jobs and 156 other staff posts would be lost, with 800 jobs going over four years as the force aims to save £52m. But Supt Pearson said neighbourhood police teams in the city had been protected.

She said: “We have been given no let up because of the current economic climate. We will be setting even more stretching objectives in the next year. Oxford is a safe place to live, but we need to make sure people feel safe living here.”

Peter Wilkinson, chairman of the Rose Hill Tenants and Residents Group, praised police work on the estate. He said: “The change over the past few years has been remarkable. We have some pockets of antisocial behaviour but generally people feel safe to go about their daily lives.”

But Karis Daniels, of Wood Farm, Oxford, whose brother Blayne Ridgway, 22, was killed outside a city centre nightclub last June, said: “More has to be done to prevent people being attacked. There is still a big knife problem.”

  • In the Vale of White Horse crime fell by 1.5 per cent from 5,079 in 2009/10 to 5,005 in 2010/11.

    And in South Oxfordshire it fell by 2.7 per cent from 7,186 in 2009/10 to 6,993 in 2010/11.