show a jump in muggings, burglaries and car thefts.

But overall crime is seven percent down according to Police statistics for the first quarter of 1998, released yesterday.

There were 703 recorded crimes between January and March, compared with 756 in the first quarter last year and 1,075 in 1995.

But violent crime was up to 96 from 92 for the same period last year.

And there were 31 assaults on Police and 21 cases of prisoners violently resisting arrest, compared with 19 and eight for the same period last year.

Sex attacks on young people were also up -- but there was a decrease in the total number of sex crimes, woundings and robberies.

Detectives have investigated 21 muggings -- or thefts from the person -- in the first quarter this year, compared with 12 last year.

Burglaries were up to 95 from 71 but Police recorded 285 total break-ins, while there were 310 last year.

A Police spokeswoman said: "Crimes of violence have not seen a dramatic increase as some would suppose but assaults are still a cause for concern and robberies are on the decline.''