CHESHIRE Police has said the increase in the possession of weapons across the borough reflects its ‘increased proactivity in terms of stop and search’.

Crime has risen over the last year in Cheshire East and West, official police records reveal, most noticeably for possession of weapons and sexual offences.

Cheshire Constabulary recorded 22,207 offences in Cheshire East in the 12 months to June, and 27,985 in Cheshire West and Chester, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was an increase of one percent in Cheshire East compared to the previous year, and an increase of two per cent in Cheshire West.

The figures come as a victim support group says ‘women deserve better’ after a sharp rise in violent and sexual offences led to a record high for police-recorded crime in England and Wales.

Of the crimes recorded in Cheshire East over the last 12 months, 907 were sexual offences – an increase of 16 per cent from the year before.

Of the crimes recorded in Cheshire West, 1,129 were sexual offences – an increase of 15 per cent from the year before.

Chief constable Mark Roberts said: “Whilst any increase in crime can be a cause for concern it is important to understand the background to the rise.

“The increase in identifying people carrying weapons reflects our increased proactivity in terms of stop and search with almost 2,500 stop and searches recorded in April to June 2022, up almost 90 per cent on the same period last year – nearly 500 of these related to searches for offensive weapons, almost 150 per cent more than in the same period last year.

“I also want to make it explicitly clear that we will support and respect victims of sexual assault and rape offences when reporting any incidents to us – and of course, will do all we can to bring offenders to justice, ensuring that they face the full force of the law.

“We have bolstered our support for victims by investing in ground-breaking technology such as GoodSAM, a mobile digital forensic unit and a new online reporting form for victims of sexual offences and harassment – we hope that this encourages victims to come forward when perhaps, they may not have previously had the confidence to do so.

“Based on the latest nationally published crime outcomes for the period April to June 2022, Cheshire has the highest charge rate in the country for all crime, violence against the person and stalking and harassment and third highest for sexual offences and rape.

“We will continue to make Cheshire an even safer place and relentlessly tackle crime, doing all we can to bring perpetrators to justice.”