The number of violent crimes in Hertfordshire has risen yet again over the last year the latest in a series of big increases since the late 1990s.

Unpublished Home Office figures, obtained by a national newspaper this week, confirmed that Hertfordshire suffered the second highest increase in violent crime in England and Wales, a staggering 53.8 per cent increase over 2003/4.

Only Lancashire had a sharper increase, up 61 per cent. In contrast, the City of London enjoyed a 7.6 per cent reduction in the crimes, which range from murder, robbery, assault and domestic violence to less serious crimes, such as harrassment.

The figures, which have not yet been audited, were published as part of a story about the failure of Government policies to tackle drunken violence.

Over the last few years Hertsmere has generally suffered more violent crimes than any other part of Hertfordshire, and between April to June 2002 and January to March 2003 the number of violent offences increased from 133 to 176.

A Hertfordshire Constabulary spokesman said the rise was a result of a new system for recording crime which the force introduced more than two years ago.

Since April 2002 the county police have used a recording system where they record all incidents, not just the ones they investigate, which led to huge unexpected increases every year. But the new system was introduced by all forces, not just Hertfordshire.

Borehamwood has already had problems with violent behaviour this year following England's recent Euro 2004 defeat against France, one Shenley Road pub had to call in police and ambulances when there was a fight involving 50 people, and a customer was rushed to hospital with cuts to his head and eye which required more than 30 stitches.

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