Violent crime and weapons offences in Teesside have jumped sharply, according to new performance figures for Cleveland Police.

The number of assaults more than doubled in the Cleveland force area in the latter part of last year, while weapons offences rose by 116% and violent crime by 77.7%.

But Cleveland Police Authority said the increase was down to the way incidents are now recorded.

The authority also said overall crime was down between April and December 2002.

Yardie gangs

The authority highlighted crime prevention operations, which it said had led to a rise in arrests for threatening and disorderly behaviour.

Overall, the authority said total crime was down by 0.3%, and claimed substantial inroads had been made tackling burglaries, robberies and car crime.

Increases in drugs crime and indecency have been attributed to high profile operations to target drug dealers and prostitution, the authority said.

In January it was revealed Cleveland Police were bracing themselves for an increase in gun crime after fears of a possible increase in Yardie gangs.