One third of actual bodily harm (ABH) cases in Pembrokeshire last year were dealt with via a caution.

Figures released to the Western Telegraph under the Freedom of Information Act by Dyfed-Powys Police show in 2009 there were 582 cases of ABH across the county and 195 offenders were issued with cautions.

A caution is intended to act as a first official warning and is not a criminal conviction, but is kept on the police database.

Out of 28 cases of wounding/endangering life last year, five cases resulted in cautions. In 2008 24 such cases were recorded but no cautions were issued.

In 2008 454 ABH cases were recorded, 195 of which were dealt with via cautions.

The total number of cautions issued in 2009 for assaults, including wounding/endangering life, GBH without intent, malicious wounding, ABH and assault without injury, was 305.

In 2008 a total of 313 were issued.

Figures for 2007 are recorded in a different format under Home Office rules and the offences of GBH, ABH, common assault, battery and assault by beating, were not recorded as specific offences.

In 2007, 372 cautions were issued for assaults. One for wounding/endangering life, 250 for other wounding and 232 for assault without injury. The number of assaults recorded has dropped from 1,289 in 2007 to 1,013 last year.

Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman, Ceri Doyle, said that police adhere to national guidelines in respect of cautioning an offender.

She added: “Most of the violent crime offences in Pembrokeshire involve people who know each other and following an investigation a caution can be the most appropriate way to deal with the incident and this approach is often agreed by the victim.

“Additionally, due to the fact that police in Pembroke-shire investigate all crime, there are occasions where we deal with young people who are first time offenders and again a caution can be the most appropriate way to deal with them.”

Chief Superintendent Dean Richards said: “At first sight the figures look alarming particularly in respect of the more serious categories of violent crime.

“However, there is an anomaly in respect of the national crime recording standards whereby, following investigation, if it’s established the crime was of a lower level due to the injuries or additional evidence, the lower level of charging standards apply which will allow for offenders to be cautioned. What does not happen though is that the original crime is changed on the recording system.

“I would like to reassure people that dealing with violent crime is a priority and we are seeing a reduction in reported offences for the fourth year running.”

Victim Support’s Wales regional manager, Gaynor McKeown, said: “If someone is arrested a victim is likely to feel disappointed if a decision is made not to prosecute the person who committed the crime.

“If victims feel their experience of crime is being dismissed by the very agencies that are meant to deal with the situation that risks adding insult to injury.”