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21/10/2004
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.
However, the British Crime Survey (BCS), the government's preferred method for collating statistics, found that violent crime was down 6% crime and violence involving any injury dropped by 12%. Overall, crime has slipped by 7%, and the risk of being a victim of crime is the lowest since the BCS began in 1981, the Home Office has said.
The Home Office dismissed much of the police recorded violent crime rise as due to "increased reporting and recording of 'low level' thuggery", which increased by 14%. More willingness to report sex offences and the effect of new sex offence laws coming into force in May also contributed to see police statistics rise.
The government added that the increase of gun crime had "slowed dramatically", with tougher gun laws, support for community engagement, and effective police action helping to drive illegal guns off the streets.
The BCS quarterly figures published also found significant falls in vehicle thefts, burglary and robbery.
Home Office Minister, Hazel Blears, said today's figures were "very encouraging".
"We are witnessing the longest sustained fall in crime in living memory with people less likely to be a victim of crime today than since the British Crime Survey started more than 20 years ago. Volume crimes such as burglary, robbery and vehicle crime are continuing to drop dramatically," she said.
However, Lib Dem frontbencher Mark Oaten said that the firearms statistics were "totally unacceptable".
“The government is still not doing enough to stem the flow of guns onto the streets of our towns and cities. We need a national border force to stop these weapons reaching the UK in the first place," he said.
Mr Oaten also said that dismissing the rise in violent crime as the result of better recording methods was a tired excuse that carried little weight.
(gmcg)
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.
However, the British Crime Survey (BCS), the government's preferred method for collating statistics, found that violent crime was down 6% crime and violence involving any injury dropped by 12%. Overall, crime has slipped by 7%, and the risk of being a victim of crime is the lowest since the BCS began in 1981, the Home Office has said.
The Home Office dismissed much of the police recorded violent crime rise as due to "increased reporting and recording of 'low level' thuggery", which increased by 14%. More willingness to report sex offences and the effect of new sex offence laws coming into force in May also contributed to see police statistics rise.
The government added that the increase of gun crime had "slowed dramatically", with tougher gun laws, support for community engagement, and effective police action helping to drive illegal guns off the streets.
The BCS quarterly figures published also found significant falls in vehicle thefts, burglary and robbery.
Home Office Minister, Hazel Blears, said today's figures were "very encouraging".
"We are witnessing the longest sustained fall in crime in living memory with people less likely to be a victim of crime today than since the British Crime Survey started more than 20 years ago. Volume crimes such as burglary, robbery and vehicle crime are continuing to drop dramatically," she said.
However, Lib Dem frontbencher Mark Oaten said that the firearms statistics were "totally unacceptable".
“The government is still not doing enough to stem the flow of guns onto the streets of our towns and cities. We need a national border force to stop these weapons reaching the UK in the first place," he said.
Mr Oaten also said that dismissing the rise in violent crime as the result of better recording methods was a tired excuse that carried little weight.
(gmcg)
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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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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