Figures obtained by the Derbyshire Times under the Freedom of Information Act, show that 1,187 crimes were committed in Derbyshire police's C Division in February — the area that covers Chesterfield, Bolsover and NE Derbyshire.

But details of only 25 incidents were released to the newspaper during that period including some not actually included in the figures because events such as road traffic collisions are not listed in crime statistics.

The crimes that occurred during the 28-day month include 15 sexual offences, 56 drugs offences, eight robberies, 165 burglaries, 270 violent incidents and 264 criminal damage reports.

A total of 276 crimes happened in Bolsover, 284 in NE Derbyshire and 627 in Chesterfield, with an average of 42 crimes committed every day of February in north Derbyshire.

However despite the massive discrepancy between the number of crimes that occurred and the number for which details were released, Derbyshire Constabulary claimed that it does seek to keep the public informed about crime.

Deputy Chief Constable Alan Goodwin said that information is released through the media, the online Crime Mapping facility and its community messaging service — which has 17,000 subscribers across the county — as well as monthly forum, panel and public meetings.

He said: "The force aims to be open, honest and accessible in its dealings with the media wherever possible.

"This must always be balanced against any operational or security risks of releasing information and is in line with guidance and legislation.

"Before releasing information to the media there will be certain considerations that will need to be taken into account.

"Primarily these are around protecting the integrity of the investigation, protecting commercial sensitivities and security, protecting the vulnerable and victims."

The police press voicebank featured just one incident relevant to C Division in the entire month — that of the discovery of the body of missing Clowne man, Alan Tennant.

On February 16, 46 crimes were committed in the area, comprising ten burglaries, 11 cases of criminal damage, a drug offence, a sexual offence, 12 theft and handling stolen goods offences, eight violence against the person incidents and three 'other' offences.

Derbyshire police released information on none of these crimes.

Over the weekend of February 26 to 28,152 crimes took place but details of just two car key burglaries were given out.

Derbyshire Times editor Mike Wilson said that by not giving out information on crimes, police were wasting a valuable crime detection tool.

"Obviously not every one of those incidents would have made the pages of the Derbyshire Times, which is read by over 100,000 people every week, but many would have.

"People who might have valuable information on crimes could be among those readers and it is a wasted opportunity."

He added: "Residents need to know what is happening in their communities if they are to commit to helping tackle some of the issues facing their neighbourhoods."