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23/10/2008
Police 'Failing To Record' Serious Violent Crime
British police forces are failing to properly record serious violent crime, according to new statistics released by the Home Office.
The government report blamed inaccurate police record keeping for a 22% rise in the number of the most serious crimes - including murder, attempted murder and manslaughter - in England and Wales.
Today, the government revealed the rise in serious violent crime was partly due to a minority of police forces - 13 out of the 43 forces across England and Wales - wrongly recording grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent in categories of 'other violent crime'.
However, the Home Office quarterly statistics, which cover April to June of this year, show that overall crime is down by 6% and overall violent crime is down compared with last year.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Last year we revised offence categories for recording the most serious violence and clarified our guidance to police forces.
"This change means that this quarter's figures are not comparable with last year's. However, for most types of violence where the guidance hasn't changed - like homicide, robbery and death by driving - the numbers are down since last year."
Ms Smith added: "However, for most types of violence where the guidance hasn't changed, like homicide, robbery and death by driving, the numbers are down since last year.
"The overall number of violent crimes is down too - by 7% - almost 18,000 fewer violent crimes."
Drug offences were also on the rise, according to the figures - up by 8% - and a sharp rise in muggings was also recorded.
The department admitted undercounting among some police forces has been going on for over a decade.
(JM)
The government report blamed inaccurate police record keeping for a 22% rise in the number of the most serious crimes - including murder, attempted murder and manslaughter - in England and Wales.
Today, the government revealed the rise in serious violent crime was partly due to a minority of police forces - 13 out of the 43 forces across England and Wales - wrongly recording grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent in categories of 'other violent crime'.
However, the Home Office quarterly statistics, which cover April to June of this year, show that overall crime is down by 6% and overall violent crime is down compared with last year.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Last year we revised offence categories for recording the most serious violence and clarified our guidance to police forces.
"This change means that this quarter's figures are not comparable with last year's. However, for most types of violence where the guidance hasn't changed - like homicide, robbery and death by driving - the numbers are down since last year."
Ms Smith added: "However, for most types of violence where the guidance hasn't changed, like homicide, robbery and death by driving, the numbers are down since last year.
"The overall number of violent crimes is down too - by 7% - almost 18,000 fewer violent crimes."
Drug offences were also on the rise, according to the figures - up by 8% - and a sharp rise in muggings was also recorded.
The department admitted undercounting among some police forces has been going on for over a decade.
(JM)
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21 April 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.
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.
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.
21 October 2004
Violent crime and firearms offences on the rise: police figures
Despite an overall crime dip of 5%, violent crime in England and Wales has risen by 11% compared to the same quarter last year, according to police figures out today. Firearm offences rose overall by 3% - the biggest hikes were for offences that resulted in no injury, at 28%, and for the use of imitation firearms.
Violent crime and firearms offences on the rise: police figures
Despite an overall crime dip of 5%, violent crime in England and Wales has risen by 11% compared to the same quarter last year, according to police figures out today. Firearm offences rose overall by 3% - the biggest hikes were for offences that resulted in no injury, at 28%, and for the use of imitation firearms.
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