POLICE are blaming inaccurate recording systems for a rise in crime.

New figures published this week show that crime levels throughout Lancashire have risen over the last year, and it is thought the introduction of a new recording system may have pushed the levels up.

The new figures show that violent crime by a massive 19.5 per cent and the rate of domestic burglary offences has risen slightly by 0.8 per cent compared on last year. Vehicle crime, in contrast, has gone down by 2.2 per cent.

However, a recent Government report highlighted problems in the way many police forces recorded crime statistics, and suggested a number of changes. These recommendations may have affected the statistics.

Detective chief superintendent Alan McAllister said: "The report recognised that crime recording is an extremely complex process and it recommended that all forces needed to put into place more accurate recording systems backed up by regular audits."