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21/07/2005
Police report violent crime reaches new high
The number of cases of violent crime against people recorded by police has reached a new high.
Police figures recorded 1,035,046 cases in England and Wales in the year 2004 to 2005 - a rise of 8% on the previous year.
Overall crime figures dropped by 6% to 5.6 million incidents, with a 20% fall in burglary and a 17% fall in car thefts.
However, gun crimes increased by 6% to almost 11,000 incidents. In England and Wales 73 people were killed by guns.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears emphasised that the increase in the police figures for violent crime was as a result of better reporting procedures for offences.
Ms Blears pointed to a separate set of figures produced in the British Crime Survey that indicated a decrease in violent crime by 11%. The BCS was based on interviews with 45,000 people and this sample revealed a marked drop in violent crime.
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said that the figures provided further evidence of a failure by government to deal with violent crime.
Mr Davis said that proposals to introduce 24-hour drinking "beggared belief" and called for a properly constituted pilot to test the proposed scheme. Ms Blears rejected this call as she said the proposals would be kept under constant review.
Figures also indicated a rise in sexual offence, but this was again attributed to improved reporting techniques and reforms in the sex crime laws.
(SP/MB)
Police figures recorded 1,035,046 cases in England and Wales in the year 2004 to 2005 - a rise of 8% on the previous year.
Overall crime figures dropped by 6% to 5.6 million incidents, with a 20% fall in burglary and a 17% fall in car thefts.
However, gun crimes increased by 6% to almost 11,000 incidents. In England and Wales 73 people were killed by guns.
Home Office Minister Hazel Blears emphasised that the increase in the police figures for violent crime was as a result of better reporting procedures for offences.
Ms Blears pointed to a separate set of figures produced in the British Crime Survey that indicated a decrease in violent crime by 11%. The BCS was based on interviews with 45,000 people and this sample revealed a marked drop in violent crime.
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said that the figures provided further evidence of a failure by government to deal with violent crime.
Mr Davis said that proposals to introduce 24-hour drinking "beggared belief" and called for a properly constituted pilot to test the proposed scheme. Ms Blears rejected this call as she said the proposals would be kept under constant review.
Figures also indicated a rise in sexual offence, but this was again attributed to improved reporting techniques and reforms in the sex crime laws.
(SP/MB)
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25 January 2005
Survey reveals falling level of some crimes
The overall crime rate in England and Wales is continuing to fall, according to the results of the British Crime Survey (BCS). The survey showed that the overall crime rate fell by 11%, in the year ending September 2004.
Survey reveals falling level of some crimes
The overall crime rate in England and Wales is continuing to fall, according to the results of the British Crime Survey (BCS). The survey showed that the overall crime rate fell by 11%, in the year ending September 2004.
21 October 2004
Violent crime and firearms offences on the rise: police figures
Despite an overall crime dip of 5%, violent crime in England and Wales has risen by 11% compared to the same quarter last year, according to police figures out today. Firearm offences rose overall by 3% - the biggest hikes were for offences that resulted in no injury, at 28%, and for the use of imitation firearms.
Violent crime and firearms offences on the rise: police figures
Despite an overall crime dip of 5%, violent crime in England and Wales has risen by 11% compared to the same quarter last year, according to police figures out today. Firearm offences rose overall by 3% - the biggest hikes were for offences that resulted in no injury, at 28%, and for the use of imitation firearms.
22 January 2004
Police figures show 14% rise in violent crime
Violent crime recorded by police in England and Wales rose by 14% in the three months up to September last year, according to crime survey statistics published by the Home Office today. The police recorded crime figures were published alongside the British Crime Survey (BCS), the government's preferred measure for quantifying crime levels.
Police figures show 14% rise in violent crime
Violent crime recorded by police in England and Wales rose by 14% in the three months up to September last year, according to crime survey statistics published by the Home Office today. The police recorded crime figures were published alongside the British Crime Survey (BCS), the government's preferred measure for quantifying crime levels.
21 April 2005
Figures reports rise in violent crime
Violent crime is on the rise, police figures have revealed, increasing by 9% in the last three months of 2004. However, overall crime fell compared with the same period last year, with the total number of crimes recorded by police in England and Wales in the last quarter falling by 5% to 1,381,400.
Figures reports rise in violent crime
Violent crime is on the rise, police figures have revealed, increasing by 9% in the last three months of 2004. However, overall crime fell compared with the same period last year, with the total number of crimes recorded by police in England and Wales in the last quarter falling by 5% to 1,381,400.
17 July 2003
Official figures show violent crime on the increase
Latest figures from the Home Office show that levels of violent crime have risen in England and Wales during the past year.
Official figures show violent crime on the increase
Latest figures from the Home Office show that levels of violent crime have risen in England and Wales during the past year.
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