Vehicle crime in Surrey has dropped by 3% in the latest figures

Figures released by Surrey Police on Thursday show a 36% rise in robberies and 33% increase in violent crime for the period April to June 2003, compared to the same period last year.

However, the force is set to meet targets for reducing burglary and vehicle crime.

A Surrey Police spokesman said that despite the jump in violent offences, the county remained the safest in England and Wales and had the lowest rate of burglary.

More recent figures are now rapidly heading in the right direction Deputy Chief Constable Bob Quick

The 36% rise in the number of robberies, from 136 to 185, compares to a national fall of 7% for the same offence.

The 33% rise in violent offences from 2,238 to 2,969 in Surrey compared to the previous year can be set against an average increase nationally of 12%.

The police spokesman said most of the rise could be attributed to a change in the way crimes are recorded since April 2002.

He said domestic burglaries in the county had fallen by 16%, compared to only 4% nationally, and vehicle crime by 3%.

Deputy Chief Constable Bob Quick said: "The latest confirmed figures do show an increase in offences of robbery and violence.

"Surrey Police has already taken action to counter these increases through the Operation Safer Streets and Surrey Street Standards initiatives.

"The result is that the increases are reversing and more recent figures are now rapidly heading in the right direction."