Police are solving more crimes, the Chief Constable said

Mike Culverhouse said the number of offences had risen from 3,632 in 2004/05 to 4,354 in 2005/06 - an average of two extra crimes a day.

But the chief inspector insists the island remains a safe place to live and put the increase down to changes in the way the force records crime.

More criminals are also being brought to justice, he added.

Annual crime statistics for England and Wales show an annual crime to population ratio of between 89 and 139 crimes per 1,000 population.

The Isle of Man figure remained comparatively low at 56.5 per 1,000 people, the force said.

Drug detection

Mr Culverhouse said his force's detection rate also compared favourably to England and Wales.

"During the year, the Isle of Man Constabulary achieved a 43.2% detection rate, a significant improvement on 38.8% in 2004 to 2005."

He said the average detection rate for the last three years in England and Wales was 26%.

"Our performance in this area is excellent and I congratulate all concerned on a wonderful achievement," he added.

The force has also highlighted its success in getting more drugs off the streets of the island.

The value of class A drugs seized by the force in the last year almost doubled from �72,262 in 2004/05 to �149,922 last year.