26/04/2007

Robberies on the rise, crime survey reveals

Robberies in England and Wales rose by eight per cent in the last three months of 2006, according to the latest figures from the Home Office.

The latest British Crime Survey revealed the eight per cent increase in robberies between October and December last year.

Drug offences also increased by three per cent in the same period, but domestic burglary and vehicle theft dropped by three per cent each, while violence against the person dropped by two per cent.

Total recorded crime for the period fell by two per cent.

The BCS said overall crime levels had remained stable over the year at 11.1 million crimes.

Violent crime remained stable throughout the year, the BCS reported, although there were 4,000 fewer violent crime incidents recorded by police in the last three months of the year compared with the same period in 2005, with the greatest falls in serious violent crime.

There was also a 16% decrease in firearms offences - bringing the figures to 9,513. Serious and slight injuries from firearms were also significantly reduced by 12% and 28% respectively, while firearms offences resulting in fatalities increased from 53 to 57.

However, vandalism rose by 11% over the year, while the risk of becoming a victim of crime rose from 23% to 24%.

(KMcA/JM)


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