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You are here: home > Tony Blair archive > Crime down five per cent

Crime falls again

22 July 2004

Crime in England and Wales fell by five per cent in the past year according to the British Crime Survey (BCS).

The Home Office considers BCS to be the most authoritative and reliable indicator of crime trends. It has measured people's experience of crime in the same way for more than two decades.

According to the survey, violent crime has fallen by three per cent. This indicates that the 12 per cent rise in recorded violent crime is down to new recording practices, more police officers to register crime and an increasing willingness by the public to report crime.

Key findings from the report "Crime in England and Wales 2003/4" include:

  • A three per cent fall in domestic burglary
  • Violent crime down three per cent - over half of 'violent crime' recorded by the police does not involve any injury to the victim
  • Car crime down by 10 per cent
  • The chance of becoming a victim of crime is at an historic low - falling from 40 per cent in 1995 to 26 per cent in 2003/4

Home Secretary David Blunkett said the results showed major progress has been made in fighting crime:

"Crime overall is falling, as measured by the BCS, after a peak in 1995, and I am pleased that property crime, which makes up the vast majority of offences, is continuing to fall dramatically.

"The past year has shown unarguably that we have been very successful in continuing to cut vehicle crime, street robbery and burglary - crimes which traditionally affect the public the most."

He added that the focus would switch to low-level thuggery, anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled incidents:

"We are tackling the root cause of violent offences and targeting police resources where they're needed most. Around half of all the police record as 'violent crime' results in no injury to the person and around half of violent crime is fuelled by alcohol."

The government is currently operating a campaign to clamp down on alcohol-related violence and disorder begins across England and Wales.

Police have visited almost 6,000 licensed premises to help crack down on irresponsible landlords and retailers who encourage binge and underage drinking.

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