Violent offending has soared in Peterborough over the past year, new statistics reveal.

Office for National Statistics show that in the 12 months ending September 2020 there were 7,764 violent offences recorded in the city - up 20 per cent from the same period the previous year.

However, overall the crime rate fell in Peterborough by four per cent from 21,694 offences to 20,860.

Sexual offences saw a nine per cent increase, and stalking and harassment rose by 51 per cent.

There was also a large rise in drug offences - a 28 per cent rise - and a 20 per cent rise in public order offences.

There were however, large drops in offences such as robbery (20 per cent reduction), theft offences (28 per cent reduction) and criminal damage and arson offences (eight per cent reduction).