LAST week, the Office for National Statistics released sobering figures that show that violent crime has soared in parts of mid and north Wales in the 12 months ending September 2021.

North Wales Police recorded 4,095 incidents of violent crime in Gwynedd in the 12 months to September – representing an increase of 6 per cent compared to the previous year. In Powys, violent crime soared by 43 per cent, with 4,224 incidents recorded. In Ceredigion, police dealt with 2,406 reported incidents classified as violent crime – up 23 per cent on the previous year.

Cases of stalking and harassment cases have doubled in Powys alone while in Ceredigion, incidences of stalking and harassment rose by 44 per cent. In Gwynedd, those cases were up by 20 per cent over the same period.

Perhaps the sudden spike in crime rates may have to do with the fact that for long periods of time, movement was restricted, and so too access to alcohol in bars and clubs.

Overall, the crime rates in Powys stood at 67.2 for 1,000 people, in Ceredigion at 68.6 per 1,000, and in Gwynedd at 70.7 per 1,000 people.

If there is good news in the reading of the ONS data, it is that in Wales, crime levels are marginally lower than in England, where the crime rate is 82.4 per cent per 1,000.

But these crime statistics do not tell the whole story. Behind every one of these violent crimes are victims who must deal with the trauma of attacks, beatings, threats, physical altercations and other effects. In addition, there is the stress of having to deal with police and the judicial system as court cases wind their way before the benches up and down our communities.

These statistics do not include, for instance, the fact that there are now 10 per cent fewer police officers patrolling our streets and communities – all as a result of Home Office cuts this past decade.

When people are the victims of crime, they should at least be able to take some comfort from knowing that there will be officers who will be able to respond quickly and effectively to their pleases for help.

Certainly, the officers who are on duty now put the care of others and upholding the law first and foremost. It’s just a pity that there are too few. That thin blue line is stretched to breaking point.