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Knife crime in England and Wales rises to record high, ONS figures show Knife crime in England and Wales rises to record high, ONS figures show
(about 1 hour later)
Knife crime in England and Wales increased last year to a new record high, figures released by the Office for National Statistics have shown.Knife crime in England and Wales increased last year to a new record high, figures released by the Office for National Statistics have shown.
The ONS said police recorded 45,627 offences in the year to December 2019.The ONS said police recorded 45,627 offences in the year to December 2019.
That is 7% more than in 2018, and the highest since knife crime statistics were first collected in 2010-11.That is 7% more than in 2018, and the highest since knife crime statistics were first collected in 2010-11.
The figures - which do not include Greater Manchester Police because of IT issues - showed a 13% rise in the West Midlands.The figures - which do not include Greater Manchester Police because of IT issues - showed a 13% rise in the West Midlands.
Robbery offences were also up - for the fourth year running - with an annual increase of 12%, to 83,930 offences.Robbery offences were also up - for the fourth year running - with an annual increase of 12%, to 83,930 offences.
There were 670 cases of murder and manslaughter in 2019, excluding Greater Manchester Police, which is up 15 on the year before.There were 670 cases of murder and manslaughter in 2019, excluding Greater Manchester Police, which is up 15 on the year before.
The total includes 39 people whose bodies were found in a lorry in Grays, Essex, in October.The total includes 39 people whose bodies were found in a lorry in Grays, Essex, in October.
Overall trends in crime remain broadly stable, according to the ONS, with the Crime Survey for England and Wales - which includes offences that are not reported to police - suggesting there was a fall of 5% compared with 2018.Overall trends in crime remain broadly stable, according to the ONS, with the Crime Survey for England and Wales - which includes offences that are not reported to police - suggesting there was a fall of 5% compared with 2018.
Home Secretary Priti Patel described the fall as "encouraging" and a "step in the right direction".
She added: "I will continue to give the police the stop and search powers, funding and extra officers they need to keep our families, communities and country safe."
The proportion of suspects charged with a crime in England and Wales, meanwhile, has fallen to a new record low.The proportion of suspects charged with a crime in England and Wales, meanwhile, has fallen to a new record low.
Home Office figures show that only one in every 14 offences led to court proceedings - less than half the rate five years ago.Home Office figures show that only one in every 14 offences led to court proceedings - less than half the rate five years ago.
The charging rate has been in decline almost continuously since 2014-15, when changes were made to the collection of the data.The charging rate has been in decline almost continuously since 2014-15, when changes were made to the collection of the data.
Last year, 7.1% of crimes resulted in a suspect being charged or ordered to appear in court.Last year, 7.1% of crimes resulted in a suspect being charged or ordered to appear in court.
The previous year it was 8.2% - and in 2014-15 it was 15.5%.The previous year it was 8.2% - and in 2014-15 it was 15.5%.
The percentage of crimes in which suspects were cautioned has also fallen, to 1.3% from 4.6% in 2014-15.The percentage of crimes in which suspects were cautioned has also fallen, to 1.3% from 4.6% in 2014-15.
The main reason for the decline appears to be an increase in the number of victims who are co-operating with police investigations and prosecutions.The main reason for the decline appears to be an increase in the number of victims who are co-operating with police investigations and prosecutions.
In 2014-15, there were 8.7% of cases where the victims did "not support action".In 2014-15, there were 8.7% of cases where the victims did "not support action".
Last year, that figure had risen to 22.9%.Last year, that figure had risen to 22.9%.
The lowest charging rate was for rape, with just one in every 66 offences recorded by police leading to a prosecution, or 1.5%.The lowest charging rate was for rape, with just one in every 66 offences recorded by police leading to a prosecution, or 1.5%.
In more than 40.6% of rape cases the victim did not support action being taken.In more than 40.6% of rape cases the victim did not support action being taken.