Drug and violence cases in the city have almost doubled in the past two years.

Police released figures last week showing crime fell by almost 10 per cent over 12 months, with record low rates for burglary and car crime.

But further figures reveal that since 2005/06, the amount of reported public order offences in Oxford has increased by 80 per cent, while possession of class A drugs has gone up by 86 per cent.

The rise has been described as "worrying", but police say the sharp increase in violence and drug possession is down to better policing.

In the past two years, the number of violent attacks increased by 29 per cent, and total violent crime went up by 23 per cent.

Meanwhile, possession of cannabis rose by 38 per cent and total drugs possession went up by 46 per cent.

DCI Chris Sharp, crime manager for Oxfordshire, said increases in drug offences and violent crime was due to officers being deployed in the right place at the right time and would have previously gone unreported.

He said the rise in violent crime was due to more police officers witnessing assaults, while drug possession increases were down to more stop-and-searches.

He added: "I don't think we have got more victims, but people are being encouraged to report crime.

"Violent crime has not gone up; we are more proactive about where we are targeting our resources.

"Violent crime and drugs are at the same level. It's just we are getting smarter.

"If you get it right it looks like crime is going up, but we are tackling missed opportunities from the past."

However police were unable to supply conviction rates to show if there had been a rise in the proportion of people charged and sentenced for crimes.

Mohammed Altaf-Khan, city councillor portfolio-holder for a safer city, said: "It's a concern that violence and drug offences are going up. I'm sure the council and police will be tackling this.

"It is worrying."