The force wants to combat a binge-drinking culture

The British Crime Survey shows a 8.9% increase in reported violent crimes between April 2003 and March 2004.

About 13% of people living in the force area questioned in the survey said they were frightened of violent crime.

Although below a national average of 16%, it is higher than the rest of the greater South West: Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Devon and Cornwall Police are reassuring people that the area is safe and are promising new initiatives to tackle crimes of violence.

The force recorded at total of 131,453 reported crimes between April 2003 and March 2004, an overall increase of 213 offences or 0.2%.

We will need to redouble our work with partners to combat the binge drinking culture Nigel Arnold, Devon and Cornwall Deputy Chief Constable

But the police have claimed big reductions in many other areas, particularly house burglary and car crime.

The force said the Home Office survey showed that it compared favourably against national trends.

Burglary is reportedly down 16.4% on figures for 2002/2003, making it the fifth lowest nationally, and vehicle crime was down 14.3%.

Devon and Cornwall also detected 29% of total crime, compared to 23.5% nationally.

However, robberies in some areas of Cornwall increased, particularly in the Restormel and north Cornwall areas.

Major investigations

Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Arnold said: "Our performance is amongst the best in the country despite receiving one of the lowest levels of funding.

"It is also a testament to all of our staff many of whom work extremely longs hours supporting our major investigations.

"Whilst the increase in violent crime is mirrored around the country it is a source of concern and we will need to redouble our work with partners to combat the binge drinking culture which so often leads to yobbish and anti-social behaviour."

The BCS, which questioned 10,000 people across England and Wales, suggested crime has fallen by 39% since 1995.

The Home Office said half of all violent crime was fuelled by alcohol, with 70% of admissions to Accident and Emergency related to alcohol at peak times.