CRIME in Slough has continued to fall despite a 14% increase in the number of sexual offences, according to the latest police figures.

Thames Valley Police released its annual breakdown of crime statistics for 2014/15 – April 1 to March 31 – on Monday with an overall fall in crime of 8%, a total of 936 fewer offences compared to the same period last year.

That includes the 14% rise in sexual offences which included a 5.8% rise in the number of rapes.

Theft of motor vehicles was also up by 20 offences, from 185 to 205, as was theft from a person with 299 compared to 243 the year before.

However, burglary fell by 31% – 1,025 in 2014/15 compared to 1,485 the year before –and robbery, both personal and business, fell by 19.9% or 40 fewer crimes. There have also been reductions in vehicle crime, shop lifting, arson, and hate crime.

The level of crime in Chilterns and South Bucks also fell, with a 12.5% reduction in total over the same period.