Crimes stats: Our challenge is to deal effectively with the growing demand while keeping traditional types of crime down

National Policing Lead for Crime Recording, Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said:

“We’re pleased that the Crime Survey for England and Wales released today shows that the number of people experiencing crimes such as violence, criminal damage and burglary has continued to fall to its lowest level since the survey began in 1981.

“We are particularly reassured that this is combined with an increase in police recorded figures of violence and sexual offences. This is largely due to a renewed police focus on the quality of recording and a greater willingness from victims to come forward and report such crimes, past or present, with the confidence that they will be investigated fully.

“Our challenge is to deal effectively with the growing demand from complex public protection issues and cyber-crime - where the offences, and the outcomes of the police response, are not easily measured in the current system - while further improving recording and keeping traditional types of crime down. On a local and national level, chief constables are working to shape the police service so that it can meet that challenge."