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Crimes against households and adults down 10% Crime in England and Wales down 10%, survey shows
(35 minutes later)
Crimes against households and adults fell by 10% in England and Wales in the year to September 2013, official figures show. Overall crime fell by 10% in England and Wales in the year to September 2013, official figures show.
The Crime Survey of England and Wales said there were had been eight million such incidents in that period. The Crime Survey of England and Wales (CSEW) said there were eight million crimes against households and adults in that period.
It is the lowest estimate since the survey began in 1981.It is the lowest estimate since the survey began in 1981.
The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), estimate crime levels based on how many people say they have been victim of a crime.The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), estimate crime levels based on how many people say they have been victim of a crime.
The ONS also published police figures which showed there had been 3.7 million offences in the same period, a decrease of 3% compared with the previous year.The ONS also published police figures which showed there had been 3.7 million offences in the same period, a decrease of 3% compared with the previous year.
But the UK Statistics Authority said last week that it could no longer approve the police data because of claims of unreliability. However, the National Statistics designation has been removed from all crime data recorded by the police after the UK Statistics Authority said it could not be approved owing to claims of unreliability.
The statistics are the first to be released since the National Statistics designation was removed from all crime data recorded by the police. Crime prevention minister Norman Baker said: "England and Wales are safer than they have been for decades with crime now at its lowest level since the survey began in 1981.
"The government has made clear that recorded crime statistics must be as robust as possible and we have a strong record on reinforcing their independence and accountability.
"We asked HMIC (HM Inspectorate of Constabulary) in June to carry out an audit of the quality of crime recording in every police force.
"And earlier this month, the home secretary wrote to chief constables emphasising that the police must ensure that crimes are recorded accurately and honestly."
'Yewtree effect'
The number of sexual offences recorded by police increased by 17%, which the ONS said "is likely to be partly due to a continuation of a 'Yewtree effect', whereby a greater number of victims have come forward to report historical sexual offences to the police".The number of sexual offences recorded by police increased by 17%, which the ONS said "is likely to be partly due to a continuation of a 'Yewtree effect', whereby a greater number of victims have come forward to report historical sexual offences to the police".
There were "signs of increasing upward pressures" in some other offences, including a 4% rise in shoplifting and a 7% increase in theft from the person, the ONS said.There were "signs of increasing upward pressures" in some other offences, including a 4% rise in shoplifting and a 7% increase in theft from the person, the ONS said.
Fraud offences recorded by police went up by 34%.Fraud offences recorded by police went up by 34%.
The ONS said: "This rise should be seen in the context of a move towards improved recording of fraud following a move to centralised recording by the police.The ONS said: "This rise should be seen in the context of a move towards improved recording of fraud following a move to centralised recording by the police.
"In addition, there were 292,814 reports of fraud to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau from industry bodies.""In addition, there were 292,814 reports of fraud to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau from industry bodies."
The CSEW said household crime - related to vehicles and property - was down by 10%, while personal crime, including thefts from the person and violent crimes, was down 9%.
It also estimated there were 859,000 crimes experienced by 10-15 year olds.