Crime in Sussex has risen by 5.4 per cent, show figures released today.

More than 7,000 extra crimes were committed in the year ending in March, claims a Conservative Party report.

The total of 137,000 represents a 5.4 per cent rise compared to 1998/99, an identical increase to Hampshire's but in stark contrast to the 3.4 per cent reduction in Kent.

The Sussex increase is also higher than the national average of 4.4 per cent.

Sussex Police chiefs today declined to comment but said they would be speaking next week when official figures are released by the Home Office.

The Tories said the figures were given to them by 33 of the 43 forces in England and Wales.

There are no breakdowns indicating which crimes are up or down on last year but Conservatives predict a sharp rise in violence.

Sussex Police recently recorded big successes in catching car criminals and burglars but the force is facing a major challenge.

In February, Home Secretary Jack Straw set the force tough new targets to slash crime.

He ordered a 37 per cent cut in burglaries and a 20 per cent reduction in car offences within five years.

In Brighton alone last year there were 7,000 car thefts, thefts from cars and criminal damage to vehicles - 19 every day and a quarter of all crime reported in the town.

Nationally, the Conservatives said, reported offences soared by more than 180,000.

The Opposition accused the Government of planning a cover-up to limit the embarrassment the figures will cause.

Tory leader William Hague said the Government was attempting to manipulate the media and mislead the public by releasing the crime figures the same day as it announces a multi-million pound boost to public services.

Mr Hague said: "There is no obvious reason why these two things should be announced on the same day."

He added: "They are a Government of spin and media manipulation.

"A sensible Government would actually be doing something about reducing crime rather than trying to cover up the figures."

But a spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said the date for release of the crime figures was set by the Home Office research department, without intervention from Government.