Surrey Police say crime in the county is being kept at a low level

But Surrey remains the fifth safest police force area in the country for burglaries, with 8.8 offences per 1,000 households.

Another crime which saw an above average rise in the county was robbery, with recorded instances up 15%, while falling 1% nationally.

But Surrey Police said their overall figures were in line with the national trend of crime levels remaining stable.

New system used

Their results showed a 7% increase in crime in the county, compared to a 8% rise in the national figures, released by the Home Office on Friday.

But a new system used to calculate the figures is estimated to have led to an increase in the number of crimes recorded by police, meaning crime may actually have fallen despite the rise announced.

We remain determined to keep crime low in Surrey Deputy Chief Constable Bob Quick

In Surrey there were 66,267 crimes recorded during 2002, up from 62,470 in 2001.

The increase in burglaries saw the number climb to 4,235, with the 16% rise overshadowing a 6% national increase.

The rise in robberies saw a jump from 529 to 606 - still only 0.6 offences per 1,000 offences.

Surrey Police said there were 9,960 thefts of or from vehicles and a total of 9,113 violent crimes - incorporating assaults, sexual offences and robberies.

Upward pressure

Deputy Chief Constable Bob Quick said: "I am pleased to be able to report that after the significant reduction achieved in recent years, levels of crime in Surrey are now being held at these low levels.

"I am also pleased Surrey is maintaining its position as one of the lowest crime counties in the country.

"There are some signs that there is upward pressure on levels of crime, in particular burglary and robbery.

"We remain determined to keep crime low in Surrey."