RECORDED crime in Dorset is set for a sharp rise because of changes in the way police work out the figures.

Police forces across the country are expected to introduce the National Crime Recording Standard from April 1 next year.

The Association of Chief Police Officers has developed the new national standard in a bid to ensure more accurate recording of crime.

The changes will mean that some incidents that were not listed as crimes in the past will now show up in the figures. These include domestic violence and disputes between neighbours.

Overall crime in Dorset could shoot up by 18 per cent from an estimated 51,524 crimes in 2001-2002 to 60,900 after the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard.

Violent crime could increase by as much as 52 per cent, or 2,700 additional crimes, with significant increases in harassment and common assault. The number of drugs offences could rise by 600, or 45 per cent, thefts could rise by 1,800, or 15 per cent, and criminal damage by 3,200, or 30 per cent.

In a report to Dorset Police Authority, chief constable Jane Stichbury said: "The biggest impact is likely to be in the category of violent crime, an area of particular concern, and one which could impact adversely on the fear of crime."

But she adds that the changes will not have a big impact on burglary and vehicle crime. She says: "Current trends are likely to continue. The level of vehicle crime has fallen substantially over the last two years, with latest figures indicating further reductions. The rate of burglary across the force has almost halved over the last five years."

The estimates were made using two crime 'audits' carried out by Dorset Police and using evidence from five forces that have already moved to the national standard.

In her report, the chief constable says all five forces using the standard have found officers are now spending more time tracing victims.

She adds: "In particular, reports of domestic violence and neighbourly disputes that may not have been recorded as crimes in the past will require more detailed information in order to comply with the new standard.

"In turn, this can lead to an increase in the number of investigations carried out by patrol officers. Evidence from other forces indicates this has led to a great deal of frustration from front-line officers."