The Crime Survey of England and Wales (CSEW) shows that crime has dropped by six per cent over the last year to its lowest level since the survey began in 1981. At the same time police recorded crime has risen by eight per cent across all crime categories, highlighting the commitment across the service to more accurate crime recording.

Following increases in the reporting of hate crime to the True Vision website, the National Police Chiefs' Council requested weekly returns on the hate crime numbers.

Chief officers have responded to the Home Affairs Select Committee interim report on prostitution, emphasising the importance of a proportionate and risk-based response. Sex workers must be understood as a vulnerable group within society.

As the country grapples with the outcome of the EU referendum, there are clearly very different views on the outcome of the vote and what it means for the UK’s future.  That we are moving into a period of unprecedented change is undisputed.

Victims and those feeling vulnerable will receive support from the police and offenders can expect a strong response and enhanced sentencing.

The vast majority of people are continuing to go about their lives in safety and security and there have been no major spikes in tensions reported but we are monitoring an increase in reports to our online reporting website

We remain committed to working with partners to tackle child sexual abuse in all its forms.

The psychoactive substances act, implemented today,  will provide a blanket ban on the production, supply and importation of new psychoactive substances. This legislation will fundamentally change the way forces tackle psychoactive substances and will make new drugs that appear on the market illegal quicker than ever before.

So called “legal-highs” might have been sold in shops but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. Often they contain one or more substance that is illegal to possess and users really have no idea what they are taking or what effect it will have.  The future health risks associated with psychoactive substances are unknown and in some cases people have died from taking these drugs.

The NPCC has responded to today's report by The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Missing Children and Adults, highlighting the importance of assessing the initial level of risk to a young person correctly. Police forces must also work with partners to gather and share better information - as well as intervening early to prevent harm before it happens.

NPCC lead for modern slavery agrees with the Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland that we need to keep improving our response to modern slavery but says progress is being made

The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) has responded to today's comments by the Home Secretary on domestic abuse and protecting vulnerable people.