Crime fell overall across Devon and Cornwall last year - but there was a rise in some types of offence including sex crimes.
Police have released the figures for 2013 today.
They saw a fall in house burglaries, vehicle offences and criminal damage, but violent crime and public order offences were both up.
Sexual offences increased by 11.7 per cent and rape was up by five per cent.
The Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner says the 5.4 per cent rise in violent crime further justifies his efforts to reduce alcohol-related offences.
Police estimate that at least 35 per cent of violent crime is alcohol-related.
This week Tony Hogg called on supermarket managers to meet him to discuss the problem of strong alcohol being offered for sale cheaply - encouraging excessive drinking.
North Devon house fire treated as arson
Cornwall charity is sending aid to hurricane victims
Huge tuna caught off Devon breaks record
Devon and Cornwall Police gets another bad report
Fears for future of Torquay's custody centre
Will Barnstaple remain a port?
