SEXUAL and violent offences are on the rise as crime in the Test Valley is reaching levels unseen in nearly a decade.

Figures revealed last month showed this year 7,477 crimes had been reported in the Test Valley up to March 31.

In terms of the number of crimes recorded, this is the highest since 2008 when there was an average over the course of the year of 8,082 offences per quarter.

Also in this week's paper: 

- Plans for town's almshouses come under fire from conservation experts


- Summer family festival returns for the holidays

- Hospital birthing service suspension causes concern for mothers

- Disability charity reports multi-million-pound loss after 'another challenging year'

- Waiting times for social homes declines - but shortfall continues

- 'Dangerous' and hallucinogenic plant found in pensioner's back garden

- News from our patches, including Whitchurch and Overton and Tidworth and Ludgershall.

- Two pages of YOUR letters

- Two pages of your local sport

And much much more!

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