Recorded violent crime down and overall crime stable
Crime in England and Wales remains stable according to the British Crime Survey (BCS) and has fallen by three per cent according to the Recorded Crime Statistics, both published today. Overall violent crime also remains stable according to the BCS, having fallen by 43 per cent since 1995 and police recorded violent crime fell by one per cent compared to the same quarter last year. Recorded violent crime resulting in an injury is down seven per cent. The risk of becoming a victim of crime has increased from 23 per cent to 24 per cent, however it remains historically low after peaking at 40 per cent in 1995.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Crime in England and Wales remains stable according to the British Crime Survey ( BCS ) and has fallen by three per cent according to the Recorded Crime Statistics, both published today.
Overall violent crime also remains stable according to the BCS, having fallen by 43 per cent since 1995 and police recorded violent crime fell by one per cent compared to the same quarter last year. Recorded violent crime resulting in an injury is down seven per cent. The risk of becoming a victim of crime has increased from 23 per cent to 24 per cent, however it remains historically low after peaking at 40 per cent in 1995.
In the twelve months to September 2006, recorded firearm statistics show a 14 per cent drop in firearms offences compared with the twelve months to September 2005, a nine per cent reduction in serious injuries and a 29 per cent reduction in slight injuries. Firearm fatalities showed no change.
Statistics from the British Crime Survey: Update to September 2006 show:
* Overall crime stable; * Violent crime stable; * Risk of crime increased from 23 per cent to 24 per cent; * All personal crime stable; * Domestic burglary stable; * Vehicle thefts stable; and * Vandalism up 11 per cent.
The Recorded Crime Statistics Quarterly Update to September 2006 show:
* Total recorded crime down three per cent; * Overall violent crime down one per cent; * Other offences against the person with injury down seven per cent; * Domestic burglary down three per cent; * Other burglary down seven per cent; * Criminal damage up one per cent; * Vehicle crime down four per cent; * Other thefts down five per cent; * Robbery up one per cent; * Drug offences up nine per cent; and * Firearm offences down 14 per cent.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said:
"We have already seen massive reductions in crime in this country - 8.4 million fewer crimes committed last year than in 1995 - and I am encouraged by the latest police and BCS crime statistics. The Government is determined to continue reducing crime and despite the many positives in today's statistics, we are not complacent and there is still much more work to be done.
"Robbery has been of concern in recent statistics but there were 23,000 fewer robberies committed last year than five years ago. We have made concerted efforts with police to further tackle the problems and have put into place the Robbery Action Plan, to help areas quickly get to grips with the problem. In addition, 'SAFE week', designed to prevent young people becoming victims of robbery and deter potential offenders will be run again later this month.
"The drive to tackle anti-social behaviour is making a real impact in our communities with new powers introduced by the Government being effectively used more and more across the country. One year on and the Respect programme is also making progress, with a new drive on supporting parents to help them manage problem behaviour in their children, a 27 per cent reduction in truancy in 200 schools and substantial investment in youth activities ( £115m over two years for Youth Opportunity Fund and Youth Capital Fund ) to help prevent crime and disorder in our communities.
"The continuing investment in neighbourhood policing and the role out of Police Community Support Officers is helping to address specific local issues, complementing the work of police officers by focusing on lower level crime and anti-social behaviour and providing reassurance to the public through high visible patrols."
The BCS is generally accepted as the most authoritative and reliable indicator of crime trends and has measured people's experience of crime in the same way for over 25 years.
Notes to editors
1. Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly update to September 2006 is available online on the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html
2. Other crime reports published today on the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website include:
* Crime in England and Wales Supplementary Volume on Homicide, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2005/06;
* Distraction Burglary Report;
* Seasonality in Crime Preliminary Findings April 2000 to March 2005;
* Crime in England and Wales 2005/2006 Supplementary Tables: Nature of Burglary, Theft, Criminal Damage, Vehicle and Violent Crime; and
* Use of Geographic Information Systems by crime analysts in England and Wales.
This story was released on 2007-01-26. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.