Crime statistics show tactics to tackle violence are working

They show there has been no change in overall levels of crime in the last year, however, there are variations in different types of crime.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for crime, Chief Constable Andy Cooke, said:

“These statistics show the overall level of crime has remained stable and you are still very unlikely to be a victim of crime.

“Tackling violence is a police priority and our tactics are working. Intelligence-led stop and search, weapons sweeps and effective targeting of habitual knife carriers have led to 17 per cent increase in the number of people arrested for possession of a knife. 

“The further fall in charging rates is concerning, but not surprising. In the past decade, we’ve dealt with more complex crimes and increasing demand while our resources fell. Changes to crime recording mean we now record more crimes that have no realistic prospect of conviction, which also effects the statistics. 

“With 20,000 new police officers coming in the next three years we will be more proactive and target persistent criminals who inflict misery on our communities.”

Visit the Office for National Statistics to view the latest figures.