Recorded crime up 6 per cent, the biggest increase in the last decade - Jack Dromey
Jack Dromey MP, Shadow Policing Minister, responding to today’s release of crime statistics said:
“Police recorded crime is rising and some of the most serious crimes have soared to the highest levels in years. There has been a major increase in knife crime, up 9 per cent, a 27 per cent rise in violent crime, including a 14 per cent increase in the murder rate, while sexual offences have gone up 36 per cent. Reported rape is the highest since 2003.
“Today’s figures do not even include online crime. Crime is changing and has moved online in recent years. The ONS has estimated that were such crimes to be included, the total number of recorded crimes would nearly double.
“Just as online crime and fraud is soaring, so too are the demands on a depleted police force to keep the country safe from terrorism and tackle child sex exploitation and abuse.
“The Tories have slashed police officers by 17,000 and broke their promise to the public to protect frontline officer numbers. Now we see the biggest increase in recorded crime in a decade. The first duty of any Government is the safety and security of our citizens. By overseeing the sharpest decline in police numbers anywhere in the EU, the Tories are letting the British people down.”
