Changes to how incidents are logged by police have contributed to an increase in some crimes reported across South Lakeland and Furness.

But the area is still considered the safest in the county, according to crime figures for the period April 2001 to March 2002.

The number of offences countywide went up 14 per cent, violent crime rose by 30 per cent and burglary was up 4 per cent, and 8,000 more calls taken by the force.

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Churchman, of Kendal Police, explained how the introduction of a more victim-focussed method of recording crime by the Home Office had contributed to some increases.

Cumbria Chief Constable Michael Baxter felt it had contributed to a third, and said that compared to last year's low figures, "a rise of some sort was inevitable."

The Southern Area police division, violent crime was up four per cent and total incidents rose from 1686 to 1753.

The Kendal Town area, which includes Kendal, surrounding villages, Milnthorpe, Arnside and Grange, rose 13 per cent from 404 incidents to 458.

DCI Churchman explained police promotions and initiatives had encouraged more people to come forward and report crimes, such as domestic violence.

Figures to be released later this year expect to show that actual "street-related" violent crime has decreased in the Kendal area, he said.

The figures are also believed to have been influenced by anti-drink-related violence campaigns such as Operations Regulate in Furness, and Operation Sequence in Kendal.

Ulverston reported a four per cent increase in violent incidents from 119 to 124.

In the Lake District, they decreased by nine per cent from 89 incidents to 81.

High detection rates for South Cumbria mean that for every complaint made, 80 per cent of perpetrators are arrested.

In South Cumbria, there was a decrease in house burglaries of three and a half per cent, down 517 to 499.

Burglaries fell 39 per cent in Kendal Town and the fall was 51 per cent in Ulverston, and 27 per cent in the Lakes.

Non-dwelling burglaries fell 2.5 per cent in Ulverston, went up two per cent in the Lakes from 99 to 101, and 3.9 per cent in Kendal from 206 incidents to 214.

The force believes improvements to Chad (call handling and despatch), may also have contributed to the figures.