Commenting on the figures unveiled by the Home Office, which present an annual picture of crime in 2010-2011, James Brokenshire – the minister responsible for crime and security – said: “We have consistently argued that crime is too high, and that is why our policing reforms are so urgently needed.”
Brokenshire went on to state: “Everyone has the right to feel safe in their home and local community. We want to make the police service more accountable to the public they serve, and ensure that local policing priorities are focused on what local people want rather than on what central Government thinks they want.”
With this in mind, the coalition Government is determined to place power back into the hands of the people, giving them a proper say in how their local area is policed through the much-discussed introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners.
“We have introduced the first-ever nationwide street level crime maps,” said Brokenshire, “which, along with regular beat meetings, mean the public can hold their local force to account not just every four years but day in and day out. The public appetite is clear: since launching in January the police.uk website has received over 420 million hits.”
At the same time, the Government is freeing up the police from central Government targets and red tape to help officers get back out on the streets and fight crime.
“By stopping top down interference in local policing,” urged the minister, “we are able to place central Government emphasis where it should be – on targeting national and international serious and organised crime, which also blights communities, through the establishment of the National Crime Agency.”
How are the statistics compiled?
The ‘Crime in England and Wales’ report is released on a quarterly basis. Statistics are based on interviews with members of the public, as well as crimes recorded by the police. The official Government mantra is that: “Together, they provide a more comprehensive picture of crime.”
British crime statistics are complicated, though, which is perhaps one of the reasons why missives from Westminster over the years haven’t quite matched the public’s perception and realisation of what’s happening at street level and, indeed, what has been reported in the national media.
Historically, official police figures have tended to under-record the true level of crime. The British Crime Survey – wherein 50,000-odd citizens are asked for their direct experiences of crime on an annual basis – is seen as the most authoritative barometer.
The latest British Crime Survey suggests that overall crime levels have remained flat or have at least continued on a downward trend. Police figures highlight a 4% fall, but the British Crime Survey pinpoints a 1% rise in overall crime levels.
The new figures from the Home Office show there has been a 14% rise in domestic burglaries and a 6% rise in violent crime in the past year. The former statistic bucks the trend of the past five years.
In addition, the latest survey reports a 9% fall in vandalism and a 13% drop in criminal damage.
The murder rate in England and Wales has risen from 618 to 642 homicides during the period of this survey.
9.6 million crimes committed in 2010-2011
The latest British Crime Survey estimates that there were 9.6 million crimes committed in 2010-2011. That compares with 9.5 million in the previous year. The police service recorded 4.2 million offences in the same period (a 4% fall compared with 4.3 million the previous year, and the lowest level recorded since 2002).
Reacting to this latest set of crime statistics, Simon Reed (vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales) said: “While it’s pleasing that overall crime is still falling, it’s extremely worrying that reported burglary statistics have risen by 14%.”
In May 2009, the Police Federation warned Government that an additional 2,000 police officers would be required over the following three years to maintain the current level of service, and predicted a rise in property crime as the recession deepened.
“We take no pleasure in being right on this occasion,” stated Reed, “and witnessing the dramatic rise in reported burglaries. However, more worryingly and despite our predictions, the coalition Government has cut the policing budget by 20%, which is resulting in a fall in police officer numbers and is likely to result in yet further increases in crime.”
In conclusion, Reed explained: “These statistics must serve as a stark warning to Government – stop, think and urgently reconsider the 20% cuts planned for the police service. It’s not too late to take the necessary steps to stop the inevitable ‘Criminal’s Charter’ that cuts of this magnitude will signal, and to do what’s right to ensure the safety and protection of citizens of this country.”
What ACPO has to say on the matter
Responding to the British Crime Survey, ACPO’s head of crime chief constable Jon Murphy said: “The police service nationally is committed to protecting the public and driving down crime. The annual crime data show police recorded crime for 2010-2011 is down 4% from 2009-2010. It also shows the British Crime Survey results remain at the lowest level since the survey started in 1981.”
Murphy added: “The official crime statistics show that the risk of being a victim of crime remains historically low. The report does, however, warn that the drops in crime recorded since the mid-1990s may begin to ease.”
Of particular interest to ACPO, it seems, is the area of burglary and some other types of theft. “We’ll be looking closely at both bulletins to see whether there are emerging patterns of criminality in those areas,” said Murphy.
For example, the high price of metal is driving what is a significant increase in metal theft due to the price of second-hand scrap metal. This has a potentially significant impact on the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure and a consequent risk to the public.
“I welcome the publication of new statistics showing for the first time the levels of victimisation of children aged between 10 and 15,” added Murphy, “and very much hope that this will assist us in our response to the youngest and most vulnerable victims of crime.”
In conclusion, Murphy urged: “Trust and confidence in the police remains an ongoing focus of the service, particularly when it comes to victims reporting crimes to us. We are prepared for challenging times ahead as forces continue the fight against crime with reduced budgets and resources, but remain fully accountable to our mission to keep people safe from harm.”
To read the full British Crime Survey 2010-2011 access the web link at the foot of this page
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