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News

News Archives: Index

October 7, 2010: Probation Set For Industrial Action

October 5, 2010: Turning Prisoners Into Taxpayers

October 4, 2010: Murder Changes Now In Force

September 20, 2010: Probation Programmes Face Cuts

August 24, 2010: Victorian Poor Law Records Online

August 10, 2010: Justice Job Cuts

July 28, 2010: Prison Violence Growing

July 22, 2010: Police Numbers: Latest Figures

July 22, 2010: New Jurisdiction Rules

July 16, 2010: CCJS On Prison And Probation Spending Under Labour

July 15, 2010: Latest Statistics On Violent And Sexual Crime

July 15, 2010: Latest National Crime Figures

July 15, 2010: New Chief Prisons Inspector

July 14, 2010: Hard Times Ahead For Prisons: Anne Owers

July 14, 2010: Prison Does Not Work: Ken Clarke

July 13, 2010: Criminal Justice Reform: Sentencing and Rehabilitation

July 13, 2010: Criminal Justice Reform Priorities

July 12, 2010: What Price Public Protection, Asks Probation Chief Inspector

July 12, 2010: NOMS has failed, says Napo

July 10, 2010: IPCC To Investigate Death of Raoul Moat

July 9, 2010: Women In Prison: New Report

July 9, 2009: Unjust Deserts: Imprisonment for Public Protection

July 8, 2010: Police Search Powers Change

July 7, 2010: Make 'Legal High' Illegal, Says ACMD

July 2, 2010: Failing Children In Prison

July 2, 2010: Police Buried Under a Blizzard of Guidance: HMIC

July 1, 2010: Freedom To Change The Law?

June 30, 2010: A New Outlook On Penal Reform?

June 30, 2010: Revolving Door Of Offending Must Stop, Says Clarke

June 30, 2010: Ken Clarke: Speech on Criminal Justice Reform

June 29, 2010: No More Police Targets

June 26, 2010: Family Intervention Projects Questioned

June 25, 2010: Cutting Criminal Justice

June 24, 2010: Napo on Sex Offenders Report

June 23, 2010: Closing Courts: The Cuts Begin

June 23, 2010: Strategy To Tackle Gangs

June 15, 2010: Courts and Mentally Disordered Offenders

June 8, 2010: Working With Muslims in Prison

June 1, 2010: Your Chance To Nominate a QC

July 21, 2005: 7% Drop in Crime, Says BCS

Crime in England and Wales fell by 7% in the past year, according to the British Crime Survey (BCS). The BCS is accepted by many criminologists as the most authoritative and reliable indicator of crime trends. The BCS has measured people’s experience of crime in the same way for over 20 years.

Police recorded crime, also published today for the year to 31 March 2005, is down by 6%.

Briefly, statistics from the ‘Crime in England and Wales: 2004/5’ indicate that:

  • Overall crime is down by 7%t
  • Violence is down by 11%
  • All personal crime is down by 11%
  • Domestic burglary is down by 20%
  • Vehicle thefts are down by 11%
  • All household crime is down by5%

The Recorded Crime Statistics for the year to March 2005 compared to the previous year show that:

  • Total recorded crime is down by 6%
  • Drug offences are up by 1%
  • Violence against the person is up by 8%
  • Overall violent crime is up by 7%
  • Domestic burglary is down by 20%
  • Vehicle thefts are down by 17%
  • Robbery is down by 12%

In addition, the number detections rose by 2%, while the overall detection rate also increased by 3 percentage points.

Home Secretary Charles Clarke said:

"I am extremely encouraged by statistics published today which show the overall level of crime is continuing to fall. Particularly impressive is the fall in burglary and vehicle theft which, according to the British Crime Survey, are down 20 and 11 percent respectively. I am pleased to announce that we have delivered on the target... to reduce vehicle crime by 30 percent over five years.

"Although the British Crime Survey records an 11 percent decrease in violent crime, I recognise that this remains an issue of concern for many people and the increase in police recorded violent crime contributes significantly to the fear of crime. However, it is important to recognise that half of all recorded violent crime results in no injury and that recording changes introduced in 2002 resulted in the increased recording of violent crimes particularly for less serious violent offences.

"The Violent Crime Reduction Bill currently before Parliament will give new powers to police and local authorities to tackle violent criminals and ensure they are effectively punished. In particular the Bill includes tough new measures to crack down on alcohol-related violence which accounts for 48 per cent of all violent crime...

"The overall picture presented by the statistics is very positive and is testament to the considerable work that has been put into crime reduction initiatives across the criminal justice system. Police numbers are at an all time high and it is encouraging to see the steady two per cent rise in overall detection rates, with the rate for homicide now at 98%. We are engaged in end to end reform of the criminal justice system to bring greater numbers of offenders to justice and deter future offenders and we are rebalancing the system so that it serves victims, witnesses and the community better. However, it is not enough to make the reforms and reduce crime. People need to feel that crime has fallen and feel safer in their communities. I believe this is beginning to happen. But we are not complacent and will continue to ensure that we reduce not only actual crime but also the fear of crime."