Crime in Gloucester has risen by 11% in the past year and is further proof of the impact of police cuts in the city, according to the Liberal Democrats. Gloucestershire Police has nearly 300 fewer police officer than a decade ago and police and community support officers have also been cut by 34% since 2009. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said there was an 11% rise in recorded crime between March 2018 and March 2019. Across the county there was a 3% rise in crime - with Gloucester seeing the highest rise in Gloucestershire. Yet Cheltenham, Stroud and the Forest of Dean saw a reduction in crime in the last 12 months. Other recent published ONS statistics show that knife crime in the county rose 12% in 2018/19 from 2017/18. Dr Rebecca Trimnell, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokeswoman for Gloucester, said: "I'm deeply concerned by this latest rise in crime in the city. "Gloucestershire Police has had to make savings of £32 million, so it is no wonder that the Thin Blue Line is getting even thinner.