Lancashire Police claim rise is due to way figures are now reported

That is despite reductions in the number of robberies, burglaries and car thefts.

Statistics released by Lancashire Constabulary show violent crime rose by 47% last year.

But the force said it did not believe actual violence had risen, blaming the figures on the way certain crimes are recorded.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Barton said although the increase in violent crime was "a continuing source of concern", new legislation meant many more offences now have to be recorded as violent crimes.

'No rise'

The changes, which followed an audit last February, meant Lancashire Police now complied with the National Crime Recording Standard.

Mr Barton said that since the shake-up, "low level violence and offences involving little or no serious physical injury, such as a minor scuffle", were now included in the figures.

He said that this had led to an increase of more than 100% in the number of recorded violent crimes in the space of five months.

Mr Barton added: "The impact of that audit has enabled the constabulary to have a greater understanding of the true levels of violent crime in the county.

"We are now building on this and focusing on hot-spot areas as well as introducing innovative crime reduction partnerships."