crime is on the increase in Basingstoke, latest figures have revealed.

Statistics for March 2000 to March 2001 show that reported crimes including violence against a person, sexual offences, robbery and thefts from motor vehicles - have all risen during the 12-month period.

The figures contrast with Hampshire as a whole, which saw a general decrease over the same period.

In Basingstoke, burglary was the only crime on the decrease, with a dramatic drop, al-though a recent spate was considered such a problem that a special squad has been set up.

Recorded cases of violence against a person, which includes domestic and street violence, increased by seven per cent last year 1,133 cases compared with 1,058 between March 1999 and March 2000.

Reports of sexual offences rose by nearly a third, with 89 cases last year and 68 the year before.

There was a 29 per cent increase in robbery in the town, with 62 cases compared with 48 the previous year.

A total of 1,085 reports of thefts from motor vehicles were received last year - a 17.8 per cent rise on the previous year's 921.

Dwelling burglaries saw a reduction of 37 per cent, from 631 cases in 1999-2000 to 395 last year.

Superintendent Barry Talbot, of Basingstoke police, said the figures - which represent the entire divisional area including rural villages and towns can be improved.

He said: "It's a process of continuous development which can be achieved by working in partnership with outside bodies including the council, probation, housing association, education and youth justice representatives.

"We will be focusing on high visibility policing, trying to maximise our visibility on the streets and in the rural areas and taking robust measures as much as we can.

"We are focusing on improving our performance and, therefore, hopefully reducing crime by detecting and, where possible, arresting."

House burglaries, robbery and vehicle crime are three key areas to be targeted by local police in a bid to curb crime.

Supt Talbot said: "A percentage of the robberies we have had are street thefts of mobile phones and we have an initiative under way involving local schools where children are being asked to design posters to warn people of the dangers.

"There are lots of positives about the local figures. Reducing them is all about being more efficient and effective."