Brokers are reporting a sharp increase in panic-selling.

The figure was the result of a sharp increase in army salaries after alarming reports of officers resigning and troops going absent without leave.

Local authorities have reported a sharp increase in noise complaints about overexuberant congregations.

The rise of vishing has led to a sharp increase in identity fraud this year.

The sharp increase was attributed to the volcanic ash cloud that shut down European airspace for six days last April.