SHOCK new figures show crime in Monmouthshire and Torfaen has risen by a third from last year.

Crime in Pontypool is up 57 per cent, with 40 more burglaries, 165 more thefts from cars, 40 more thefts of vehicles and 79 more violent crimes. Violent crime is up in Monmouth, with 65 incidents - more than double last year's total. And in Abergavenny crime rose by 47 per cent, and there were 130 violent crimes compared to 75 last year. Theft from cars almost doubled - up 53 from last year's total of 63.

And this year's figure, released by Gwent Police, of 66 burglaries is more than three times higher than last year's total of 16.

The figures compare April to September 2001 with the same period this year. Detective Sergeant Howard Salmon, of Abergavenny CID, told the Argus: "There has been a general increase in crime. We are currently investigating these house burglaries and believe one group of youngsters are responsible for the majority of the burglaries of houses in the Abergavenny town area.

"But some of the increase is due to the way we record crime, which is different from previous years and - like many areas - Abergavenny has seen an increase in population and popularity without an increase in police staffing levels."

The town has the highest detection rate for crime in the Gwent force.

Det Sgt said: "I am encouraged by the work the officers are doing as we currently detect 49 per cent of reported crime, which is probably one of the highest in the UK."

Chief Inspector John Oliver, regional commander for B Division, which stretches from Torfaen to Chepstow, said: "The National Crime Recording Standards are introduced now and we always knew this would have an impact on our figures."