Crime down by more than 10% under coalition government
Statistics released today show overall crime at lowest level since Crime Survey of England and Wales began in 1981.
Crime is continuing to fall in England and Wales, statistics released today show.
Both key, independent measures of crime – police recorded crime and the Crime Survey for England and Wales – show overall crime has fallen by more than 10% under this government.
In the year to the end of September 2013, the Crime Survey of England and Wales shows overall crime fell to the lowest level since the survey began in 1981.
Record low
The survey shows a 13% fall in violence, household theft is down 19% and vandalism has dropped by 8%. Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said:
Both the recorded crime statistics and the independent Crime Survey for England and Wales show that police reform is working and crime is continuing to fall. Overall, crime has fallen under this coalition government by more than 10% according to the Crime Survey and this is mirrored by the fall in police recorded crime since 2010.
England and Wales are safer than they have been for decades with crime now at its lowest level since the survey began in 1981.
Robust
Norman Baker added:
The Government has made clear that recorded crime statistics must be as robust as possible and we have a strong record on reinforcing their independence and accountability.
We asked HMIC in June to carry out an audit of the quality of crime recording in every police force. And earlier this month, the Home Secretary wrote to chief constables emphasising that the police must ensure that crimes are recorded accurately and honestly.
The Crime in England and Wales figures were published today by the Office for National Statistics.
The Home Office has also issued the police recorded crime open data broken down by Community Safety Partnership area, police force area, quarterly period and individual offence code, from 2002/03.