violent crime showing marked upturns.

There were 13 gun offences last year compared to just one in 1998 while wounding rose from 56 cases to 91 over the same period.

Robbery cases leapt from 39 to 64 while sexual offences showed a tiny rise.

However Assault with Grievous Bodily Harm fell from 51 cases to 43 compared with 1998.

Overall there were 336 violent offences last year compared with 296 for the previous 12 months.

The numbers of stolen bikes also soared with motorbike, moped and cycle thefts all showing a massive upswing while car thefts showed a slight drop. A Police spokesman said: "Overall crime levels have increased some ten percent over 1998 and three percent over 1997.'' Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said the problem of rising violent crime was being tackled by boosting number on the beat.

She said this would increase visibility by redirecting officers from other duties while Police reserves would also be used to bolster forces.

She said: "We will also get numbers up by increasing recruitment.'' And she said statistics could be misleading -- she noted that a hike in firearms offences could be caused by one incident.

Both Shadow Home Affairs spokesman Michael Dunkley and PLP backbencher Wayne Perinchief blamed the crime surge on the drug trade.

Mr. Dunkley said: "The Narcotics Department say they are understaffed and underfunded.'' He said the Government was doing little to bolster numbers.

He said: "There is clearly a lack of leadership -- they talk the talk but don't walk the walk.

"They are not tackling crime or drugs. People want action, they are not safe in their homes.'' And former Police Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief MP said: "The rise in firearms offences is very worrying, especially when you consider there is a total prohibition on firearms here.'' CHART