A TOTAL of 143 crimes have been committed in Newent over the last six months.

According to local Police Constable Robert Mortimer there has been a 41.58 percent increase of reported crime incidents in Newent Central, Northwest and Southeast during the last six months.

For the same period during 2014 a total of 101 crimes were reported.

The number of violent offences has increased from 20 to 24 and there have been 31 burglaries in the las six months up from 13 last year.

Theft and fraud incidents have also risen from 39 to 49 as well as criminal damage which has gone up from 17 to 26.

There has been an increase in drug offences from three to five. But reported sex offences have decreased from eight to four.

PC Mortimer said: “There have been a recent spate of domestic burglaries and attempted burglaries.

"The good news is we’ve had success in charging an offender with a number of burglaries.

"He has been sentenced in court and is serving a suspended sentence. So we’ve seen a tail off in those offences.

“We’ve had a prolific shoplifter who has also been dealt with.

“The cameras that have been installed at the recreation ground have been successful and I was able to identify the offenders up there.

“There has been evidence of drug tacking. It appears the use of cannabis is taking place in the car park area.

“The debris itself would not cause harm, however it’s worrying that it’s taking place there.”

PC Mortimer explained that there has been more police patrols operating in the area as a consequence of these issues.

He added: “This is the current state of play and that’s why when I’m not available to patrol matters that things happen on my patch.

"I have requested that my colleagues make the extra effort to cover this area from Coleford. ”