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Recorded crime figures show fall Recorded crime figures show fall
(10 minutes later)
Police-recorded crime in England and Wales fell 9% in the 12 months to March, latest figures suggest.Police-recorded crime in England and Wales fell 9% in the 12 months to March, latest figures suggest.
The first reliable figures for knife crime showed there were 22,000 offences last year.The first reliable figures for knife crime showed there were 22,000 offences last year.
The figures also show that while the risk of being a victim is at its lowest ever level, people still think that the rate is going up.The figures also show that while the risk of being a victim is at its lowest ever level, people still think that the rate is going up.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "extremely pleased" with the overall reduction.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "extremely pleased" with the overall reduction.
The annual crime report for 2007-2008 reveals the longest recorded period of falling crime - down 48% from 1995.The annual crime report for 2007-2008 reveals the longest recorded period of falling crime - down 48% from 1995.
It shows there were five million recorded crimes. All the main categories were down, including violent crime and sex offences, but drug offences were up 18%, gun crime was up 2% and murder was up 3%.It shows there were five million recorded crimes. All the main categories were down, including violent crime and sex offences, but drug offences were up 18%, gun crime was up 2% and murder was up 3%.
Victim riskVictim risk
Home Office experts say the figures show that offences are concentrated in hotspots and not evenly spread around England and Wales.Home Office experts say the figures show that offences are concentrated in hotspots and not evenly spread around England and Wales.
CRIME FIGURES IN FULLCRIME FIGURES IN FULL
Crime in England and Wales 2007/08 [1.8Mb] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader hereCrime in England and Wales 2007/08 [1.8Mb] Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download the reader here
They also say the figures mirror trends in falling crime seen throughout the developed world.They also say the figures mirror trends in falling crime seen throughout the developed world.
The annual report combines police-recorded crime and statistics from the British Crime Survey (BCS), a victimisation survey which asked 47,000 adults about their experience of crimes.The annual report combines police-recorded crime and statistics from the British Crime Survey (BCS), a victimisation survey which asked 47,000 adults about their experience of crimes.
For the types it covers, the BCS can provide a better reflection of the true extent of crime because it includes ones that are not reported to the police and crimes which are not recorded by them.For the types it covers, the BCS can provide a better reflection of the true extent of crime because it includes ones that are not reported to the police and crimes which are not recorded by them.
The BCS showed the risk of being a victim of crime has fallen from 24 to 22%, the lowest level recorded since the survey began in 1981.The BCS showed the risk of being a victim of crime has fallen from 24 to 22%, the lowest level recorded since the survey began in 1981.
However, 65% of people said they thought rates had gone up nationally. But the same proportion again thought crime had fallen locally.However, 65% of people said they thought rates had gone up nationally. But the same proportion again thought crime had fallen locally.
The overall picture from the survey was that crime was down 10% to 10.1 million crimes. It also showed that 947,000 violent offences were caused by alcohol.The overall picture from the survey was that crime was down 10% to 10.1 million crimes. It also showed that 947,000 violent offences were caused by alcohol.
Home Office chief scientific adviser Professor Paul Wiles said the overall figures represented the longest recorded period of falling crime in living memory.Home Office chief scientific adviser Professor Paul Wiles said the overall figures represented the longest recorded period of falling crime in living memory.
But he said the level of falling violent crime in particular was at odds with the public's perception of their chances of being attacked.But he said the level of falling violent crime in particular was at odds with the public's perception of their chances of being attacked.
"It is possible to have an overall decline in violence nationally while sometimes, and at the same time, having outbreaks of violent crimes in particular places, in particular concentrations and having increases in those places," he said."It is possible to have an overall decline in violence nationally while sometimes, and at the same time, having outbreaks of violent crimes in particular places, in particular concentrations and having increases in those places," he said.
Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said people should be "very encouraged" by the figures.Home Office Minister Tony McNulty said people should be "very encouraged" by the figures.
"Local communities and local cops can be very encouraged that as a result of their work, crime is down," he said."Local communities and local cops can be very encouraged that as a result of their work, crime is down," he said.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the government had exceeded its reduction target.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the government had exceeded its reduction target.
"The government's priority is to build on what we have achieved so that everyone feels improvement," she said."The government's priority is to build on what we have achieved so that everyone feels improvement," she said.
"We are firmly committed to deliver further reductions in the crimes that most concern people, particularly violence involving knives and guns.""We are firmly committed to deliver further reductions in the crimes that most concern people, particularly violence involving knives and guns."
Knife crimeKnife crime
She acknowledged that "knives are still being used in the most serious violent incidents" and said the Youth Crime Action plan published this week was part of a wider package of measures aimed at tackling the problem. FORCES WITH MOST KNIFE CRIMES* Metropolitan police: 7,409West Midlands: 2,303Greater Manchester: 2,294West Yorkshire: 915Merseyside: 757South Wales: 585Nottinghamshire: 548England & Wales total: 22,151 class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7511664.stm">Full knife crime list *Attempted murder, GBH, wounding, robbery She acknowledged that "knives are still being used in the most serious violent incidents" and said the Youth Crime Action plan published this week was part of a wider package of measures aimed at tackling the problem. FORCES WITH MOST KNIFE CRIMES* Metropolitan police: 7,409West Midlands: 2,303Greater Manchester: 2,294West Yorkshire: 915Merseyside: 757South Wales: 585Nottinghamshire: 548England & Wales total: 22,151 *Attempted murder, GBH, wounding, robbery class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7511664.stm">Full list for each force
Serious violent crimes involving a blade have previously been bundled with other attacks, but since April last year officers have recorded them separately in light of growing public concern.Serious violent crimes involving a blade have previously been bundled with other attacks, but since April last year officers have recorded them separately in light of growing public concern.
Police recorded 22,151 offences involving knives last year in England and Wales, including grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, woundings and robbery but not murder.Police recorded 22,151 offences involving knives last year in England and Wales, including grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, woundings and robbery but not murder.
It amounts to an average of 60 knife offences every day.It amounts to an average of 60 knife offences every day.
The statistics include a force-by-force breakdown of knife crime, with the highest number of offences - 7,409 - recorded in London.The statistics include a force-by-force breakdown of knife crime, with the highest number of offences - 7,409 - recorded in London.
Speaking about the knife crime figures, Prime Minister Gordon Mr Brown said he wanted to make carrying a blade as "unacceptable" as having a gun on the streets.Speaking about the knife crime figures, Prime Minister Gordon Mr Brown said he wanted to make carrying a blade as "unacceptable" as having a gun on the streets.
"It is because we have identified the problem of knife crime, and particularly in some hotspots of the country, that we have stepped up our action dramatically," he said."It is because we have identified the problem of knife crime, and particularly in some hotspots of the country, that we have stepped up our action dramatically," he said.
"We will do everything in our power to prevent people having knives.""We will do everything in our power to prevent people having knives."
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What's your reaction to the crime figures? Do you fear being a victim of crime? Send us your comments using the forms below. Name