Cases of wounding and assault in the Isle of Man rose significantly last year.

It's been revealed the total number of woundings went from three in 2006 to 13 in 2007, and aggravated assaults went up three to 34.

While the overall incidents of grievous bodily harm dropped four to 23 in 12 months, there was a 40 per cent rise in actual bodily harm and a 33 per cent increase in common assaults.

There were no murders, no attempted murders and two manslaughters.

Kate Skinner reports (audio file attached):

The figures were revealed by Home Affairs Minister Martyn Quayle in Tynwald question time, but some members expressed concern they hadn't received the statistics prior to the sitting.

The questioner, Dudley Butt MLC, went onto suggest the figures be included in the Chief Constable's report in future years, which Mr Quayle said he would look into.

In another question, Mr Quayle was asked for details of other recorded offences.

Significantly, the number of public order offences dropped from 369 to 336 in 2007 but there was a near 25 per cent rise in the number of cases of provoking behaviour or breach of the peace.