THE NUMBER of crimes committed in Penarth has increased by more than 30 per cent in the space of a month.

Sergeant Ioan Jones revealed the latest crime statistics during a police report to Penarth Town Council on Tuesday night, December 16.

He told councillors that the number of crimes recorded between October and November had risen from 54 to 71, an increase of 31 per cent.

Between October and November the number of burglaries remained the same at six, cases of criminal damage fell one from 11 to 10, drugs and other offences fell from two to one, other theft increased by 10 from 12 to 22, sexual offences remained at two in each month, theft from motor vehicles increased from three to seven, theft of motor increased from none to two, and violence against the person increased from 16 to 20.

Councillor Gwyn Roberts, who represents the St Augustine’s ward, asked if the increase in crime was a seasonal trend, as there had also been a ‘spike’ in the summer.

Sergeant Jones said that there had been “a bit of a two person crime wave”.

He said that a woman had been arrested in connection with "a couple" of burglaries and that her male partner, who had links to Barry, was also wanted in connection with them.

He added the couple were also linked to a series of 'other thefts', which increased from 12 to 22 in the space of a month.

They were alleged to have been involved in making off without payment of petrol in Dinas Powys and Tesco in Penarth. He added that crime prevention advice had been given to Tesco as people had been "wearing hoodies without showing themselves" and filling up their cars and jerry cans and driving off.

Council Amber Courtney, who represents the Stanwell ward, said that the head teacher of Victoria Primary School had complained about “dangerous driving” around pick up and drop off times at the school, as well as by the Masonic Hall on Stanwell Road.

She asked if there could be a police presence around there at key times, and was told by Sgt Jones that police would look into it in the New Year.

Councillors also raised concerns about lorries making deliveries and taking up parking spaces in the town centre and speeding on Plassey Street near a newly opened nursery by Bethel Chapel.