Police-recorded crime rates for the 12 months leading up to March show the largest annual rise in crime for more than a decade, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Crime figures have soared by 10 percent across England and Wales, with an 18% rise in violent crime - including a 20 percent surge in gun and knife crime. The official figures also show a 26 percent rise to 723 in the homicide rate.
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The statisticians at the ONS say that perhaps even more alarming is the fact that these rates are accelerating, with a three percent increase recorded in the year to March 2015, followed by an eight percent rise in the following year, and now a 10 percent increase in the 12 months to March of this year.
These accelerating crime rates across the nation correlate with declining numbers of police officers on the streets, following government cuts to police funding. Home Office figures show a loss of 924 in the past year, to 123,142 police officers in England and Wales. This is the fewest officers in England and Wales since 1985.
Since 2010, police numbers have fallen by 20,592.
The official Crime Survey of England and Wales was also released yesterday. The government survey asked 35,000 households if they had been a victim of crime in the previous year and in contrast to the ONS results, showed a seven percent drop since last year.
Policing minister Nick Hurd said that crime, as measured by the crime survey, was down by a third since 2010 and by 69 percent since its 1995 peak.
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"The Office for National Statistics is clear that much of the rise in violent offences recorded by police is down to better recording by forces but also believes some of the increases may be genuine and clearly there is more we must do to tackle the violent crimes which blight communities," said the Home Office minister.
"We recognise that crime is changing and we are determined to get ahead of new and emerging threats to the safety and security of our families and communities. Our latest action, announced in the past week, includes urgent work to bear down on acid attacks and proposals to strengthen the law to get knives off our streets."
The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott said: "The Tories have cut police officer numbers again in the latest 12 months and now there are well over 20,000 fewer than in 2010.
"The Tories simply aren't allowing the police to protect the public. Labour in government will tackle rising crime."
John Flatley, head of crime statistics for the ONS, said: "The latest figures show the largest annual rise in crimes recorded by the police in a decade.
"While ongoing improvements to recording practices are driving this volume rise, we believe actual increases in crime are also a factor in a number of categories."
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Source: Yorkshire Post
Topics: Police