21/04/2005
Figures reports rise in violent crime
Violent crime is on the rise, police figures have revealed, increasing by 9% in the last three months of 2004.
However, overall crime fell compared with the same period last year, with the total number of crimes recorded by police in England and Wales in the last quarter falling by 5% to 1,381,400.
The figures also showed that robbery dropped by 6%; domestic burglary fell by 17%; and vehicle thefts decreased by 16%.
However, the number of violent crimes recorded by the police in the last quarter as 295,400 and reported an increase of 10% in cases of violence against the person, rising to 258,200 in the last quarter, compared with 234,000 during the same period last year.
Firearms offences also rose by 10% and there was a massive increase (66%) in the number of cases involving imitation firearms.
There was also an 18% rise in reports of sexual offences, although this could be attributed to the introduction of the new Sexual Offences Act and government and police attempts to improve the handling of these offences in order to encourage victims to come forward.
However, the British Crime Survey, which surveys thousands of people about their experiences of crime, indicated that overall crime had dropped by 11%, while violent crime had dropped by 10%.
The figures have been announced as Labour announced plans to reduce crime by 15% by 2008 and pledged to introduce a flagship Violent Crime Reduction Bill if they win the next election.
Shadow Home Secretary David Willis said that the rise in violent crime was a “direct outcome of the politics of neglect applied to the causes of crime.” He said: The Government's complacency on crime is breathtaking. Charles Clarke said that violent crime is falling, yet recorded statistics - the ones that Labour used in opposition and in their own manifesto - show that violent crime has risen by another 9% in the last quarter.
"Under Labour there are a million violent crimes a year, gun crime has doubled and police clear up rates are at their lowest rates for at least 25 years. Yet after eight years and just weeks before an election, their response is to re-announce yet another headline grabbing target which - if actually achieved - would only just get crime levels back down to what they inherited."
The Conservatives have pledged to recruit an extra 5,000 police a year, reduce “red tape and bureaucracy” and build an extra 20,000 prison places. They have also promised to crack down on ‘yob culture’ with a series of measures including a five-point plan aimed at tackling binge drinking.
The Liberal Democrats have also pledged to recruit 10,000 more police officers and 20,000 community support officers.
Speaking at a Labour party press conference, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that crime had fallen by 30% since 1997, but admitted that “it was never going to be an overnight job”.
Commenting on the figures, Mr Blair said: “When Michael Howard was Home Secretary, police recorded crime did not count many scuffles and minor assaults which should have been classed as violent crime. The Association of Chief Police Officers wanted to change that and we agreed. It was the right thing to do. Every crime should be counted, even if it gives the wrong impression that violent crime has gone up.”
(KMcA/GB)
However, overall crime fell compared with the same period last year, with the total number of crimes recorded by police in England and Wales in the last quarter falling by 5% to 1,381,400.
The figures also showed that robbery dropped by 6%; domestic burglary fell by 17%; and vehicle thefts decreased by 16%.
However, the number of violent crimes recorded by the police in the last quarter as 295,400 and reported an increase of 10% in cases of violence against the person, rising to 258,200 in the last quarter, compared with 234,000 during the same period last year.
Firearms offences also rose by 10% and there was a massive increase (66%) in the number of cases involving imitation firearms.
There was also an 18% rise in reports of sexual offences, although this could be attributed to the introduction of the new Sexual Offences Act and government and police attempts to improve the handling of these offences in order to encourage victims to come forward.
However, the British Crime Survey, which surveys thousands of people about their experiences of crime, indicated that overall crime had dropped by 11%, while violent crime had dropped by 10%.
The figures have been announced as Labour announced plans to reduce crime by 15% by 2008 and pledged to introduce a flagship Violent Crime Reduction Bill if they win the next election.
Shadow Home Secretary David Willis said that the rise in violent crime was a “direct outcome of the politics of neglect applied to the causes of crime.” He said: The Government's complacency on crime is breathtaking. Charles Clarke said that violent crime is falling, yet recorded statistics - the ones that Labour used in opposition and in their own manifesto - show that violent crime has risen by another 9% in the last quarter.
"Under Labour there are a million violent crimes a year, gun crime has doubled and police clear up rates are at their lowest rates for at least 25 years. Yet after eight years and just weeks before an election, their response is to re-announce yet another headline grabbing target which - if actually achieved - would only just get crime levels back down to what they inherited."
The Conservatives have pledged to recruit an extra 5,000 police a year, reduce “red tape and bureaucracy” and build an extra 20,000 prison places. They have also promised to crack down on ‘yob culture’ with a series of measures including a five-point plan aimed at tackling binge drinking.
The Liberal Democrats have also pledged to recruit 10,000 more police officers and 20,000 community support officers.
Speaking at a Labour party press conference, Prime Minister Tony Blair said that crime had fallen by 30% since 1997, but admitted that “it was never going to be an overnight job”.
Commenting on the figures, Mr Blair said: “When Michael Howard was Home Secretary, police recorded crime did not count many scuffles and minor assaults which should have been classed as violent crime. The Association of Chief Police Officers wanted to change that and we agreed. It was the right thing to do. Every crime should be counted, even if it gives the wrong impression that violent crime has gone up.”
(KMcA/GB)
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20 October 2005
Violent crime increases by 6%
Violent crime in England and Wales increased by 6% in the three months to the end of June, compared to last year’s figures, the latest Home Office figures have revealed. However, overall recorded crime dropped by 2% during the same period.
Violent crime increases by 6%
Violent crime in England and Wales increased by 6% in the three months to the end of June, compared to last year’s figures, the latest Home Office figures have revealed. However, overall recorded crime dropped by 2% during the same period.
26 January 2006
Report reveals increase in violent crime
The Home Office has today released a report revealing that violent crime particularly gun crime and robbery are all on the increase in the UK. The report states that violent crime is on the increase, despite a fall in the total amount of criminal behaviour recorded.
Report reveals increase in violent crime
The Home Office has today released a report revealing that violent crime particularly gun crime and robbery are all on the increase in the UK. The report states that violent crime is on the increase, despite a fall in the total amount of criminal behaviour recorded.
25 January 2005
Survey reveals falling level of some crimes
The overall crime rate in England and Wales is continuing to fall, according to the results of the British Crime Survey (BCS). The survey showed that the overall crime rate fell by 11%, in the year ending September 2004.
Survey reveals falling level of some crimes
The overall crime rate in England and Wales is continuing to fall, according to the results of the British Crime Survey (BCS). The survey showed that the overall crime rate fell by 11%, in the year ending September 2004.
22 July 2004
Recorded violent crime rises by 12%
Recorded violent crime in England and Wales rose by 12% in the past year and crime overall rose by 1% - however, the government's preferred method of assessing crime, the British Crime Survey (BCS), found that overall crime levels fell by 5% - and violent crime also fell by 3%.
Recorded violent crime rises by 12%
Recorded violent crime in England and Wales rose by 12% in the past year and crime overall rose by 1% - however, the government's preferred method of assessing crime, the British Crime Survey (BCS), found that overall crime levels fell by 5% - and violent crime also fell by 3%.
22 January 2004
Police figures show 14% rise in violent crime
Violent crime recorded by police in England and Wales rose by 14% in the three months up to September last year, according to crime survey statistics published by the Home Office today. The police recorded crime figures were published alongside the British Crime Survey (BCS), the government's preferred measure for quantifying crime levels.
Police figures show 14% rise in violent crime
Violent crime recorded by police in England and Wales rose by 14% in the three months up to September last year, according to crime survey statistics published by the Home Office today. The police recorded crime figures were published alongside the British Crime Survey (BCS), the government's preferred measure for quantifying crime levels.
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