But they have still jumped by more than ten per cent between April 2016 and last month, the statistics show.
Recorded sexual offences leapt by an alarming 25 per cent over the last 12 months, many related to past cases now being recorded.
Offences of violence without injury experienced a similar upturn with a 23 per cent increase.
Deputy Chief Constable James Vaughan explained: ‘There have been a number of new laws introduced which will see a rise in crime figures for all forces across the country, not just in Devon and Cornwall.
‘Examples of new crimes that fall within this act include harassment, abusive and threatening messages sent via social media, phone calls that the victim perceives as threatening in their nature, and even an abusive note left on the windshield of a car for parking in front of someone’s house.’
He added: ‘We have one of the highest levels of public confidence of any force across the country, and this means that people feel supported and confident that we will take their crime seriously.
‘The upshot of this confidence from our public is that we will see a rise in the reporting of certain crime types.’
He said Devon and Cornwall had worked hard to improve its response to matters such as rape, sexual offences, modern slavery and domestic abuse.
‘In recent years we have seen a huge rise in both current and historic reporting in these areas, and I am encouraged that victims are finding the courage to come forward and reach out to us knowing that that they will be supported.
‘No victim should suffer in silence. We will continue to work hard to support victims and to give a voice to each and every one of them, regardless if this sees a rise in our crime figures.’
Figures from the Office for National Statistics - relating to national police performance up to the end of 2016 - have also been released today.
They show that Devon & Cornwall Police recorded a six per cent increase in recorded crime.
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