CC Bill Skelly: Despite a rise in crime, police forces are committed to keeping people safe

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Crime Recording & Statistics, Chief Constable Bill Skelly said:

“In the last year policing has been under strain as traditional crimes are committed in new and more sophisticated ways, the terror threat has grown and there’s a need to safeguard an increasing number of vulnerable people.

“While the Crime Survey of England and Wales, which is based on people’s experience of crime, indicates that crime is falling overall, police data shows that violent crime and the associated homicides, car crime and theft are all increasing significantly. These rises are genuine and deeply concerning but the public should be assured we are doing everything we can to bring them down and keep the public safe. 

“After many years of reductions, car crime and theft are now increasing. Forces continue to target organised crime gangs and prolific offenders, who are increasingly using sophisticated methods to commit crime.

“Tackling violent crime isn’t something police forces can do alone – it requires a whole system approach. Officers continue to employ stop and search to seize knives and weapons and we work closely with schools to educate young people about the dangers of carrying a knife and stop them from turning to a life of crime.  As set out in the Government’s Serious Violence Strategy, early intervention is desperately needed to make long term change.”