The number of crimes recorded by police in England and Wales has hit an all-time high, with a big increase in violent and sexual offences.
A total of 6.5 million crimes were recorded in the 12 months to June, up from the previous record of 6.3 million in the year to March.
The figure is also up 12% compared with the year to June 2021, when crime levels were affected by COVID lockdown restrictions.
However, while the number of recorded sexual offences fell during periods of lockdown, there have been “substantial increases” since April 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The increase could reflect a number of factors, including “the impact of high-profile incidents, media coverage and campaigns on people’s willingness to report incidents to the police” or a “potential increase” in victims.
Crimes against the person also increased, with 2.1 million recorded by police forces, which is an increase of 13% year-on-year and 20% on pre-pandemic levels.
The number of rapes rose by 20% on pre-COVID figures, with 70,600 recorded in the year to June, a new record.
This figure has nearly doubled in just over six years, from 36,321 in 2015-16.
There were 912,181 domestic abuse offences, 6% more than last year and 14% more than in 2019-20.
Some of this increase “may reflect improvements seen in recording and reporting over the last few years,” the ONS added.
‘We can’t go on like this – women deserve better’
Victim Support said the figures show that “women deserve better”.
Its chief executive, Diana Fawcett, said: “This huge increase in sexual violence, in particular rape, reported to the police is seriously alarming.”
She added that it is a “stark reminder that the government needs to get a grip on staggeringly low conviction rates and horrendous court delays”.
“Things simply can’t go on like this – women deserve better,” she said.
Incidents such as the murder of Sarah Everard led Boris Johnson to say it was “infuriating” that cases involving violence against women and girls were not being taken seriously enough by police.
Wayne Couzens, a police officer, was given a whole life sentence on September 21 last year for the kidnap, rape and murder of the 33-year-old marketing executive.
Knife crime drops lower than pre-pandemic levels
Meanwhile, knife crime and the number of homicides have fallen below pre-pandemic levels.
A total of 49,991 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument were recorded in the 12 months to June, up 8% year-on-year but less than the 55,076 offences in the 12 months to March 2020.
This was mainly driven by a 27% drop in the number of robberies in which knives were used.
Knife crime fell during the early part of the pandemic due to government restrictions on social contact.
In the year to June, a total of 679 homicides were recorded, 5% fewer than in the year to March 2020.
The situation in Dorset
Dorset is now the sixth safest area in the country after experiencing a rise in crime that is notably lower than other parts of England and Wales.
Data released on Thursday 27 October 2022 by the Office for National Statistics shows that overall crime rose by 5 per cent in Dorset during the 12 months to 30 June 2022, which is less than half the national average rise of 12.5 per cent.
Like previously released statistics, a rise in crime during this period was expected as the figures are directly compared with the same months in 2020 and 2021 in which the country was subjected to national and regional COVID-19 lockdowns and saw a significant fall in crime.
David Sidwick, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, said: “I am really pleased to see that Dorset has gone up to sixth in the ratings for being one of the safest counties in England and Wales – it is my aim to make Dorset the safest county and so seeing us go up in the ratings is both validation for the work that is happening in the county and good news for the people of Dorset.
“Despite crime figures going up, I am pleased to see that they are less than half the rate of the national average here in Dorset, with reductions in crime across many of the areas directly related to my Police and Crime Plan, including stalking and harassment and anti-social behaviour. I am particularly pleased to note that there has also been a considerable drop in both business crime and community crime over the last year.
“I would like to thank all the officers, staff and volunteers involved in keeping our residents and communities safe and I vow to continue to work alongside the Chief Constable, as well as all our other invaluable stakeholder partners to make Dorset the safest county.”
Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: “Dorset continues to be one of the safest counties in the country to live and visit and the rise in crime experienced here post COVID-19 pandemic, compared to other parts of the country, has seen the Force move up another place to be the sixth safest area in England and Wales.
“We will continue to strive to be the safest county in the country and remain driven to relentlessly pursue those criminals who cause the most harm to our communities, keeping people safe and putting victims first.
“In the past 18 months, Dorset has moved from nineth safest county to sixth safest. We are seeing less crime, bringing more offenders to justice, reducing anti-social behaviour and seeing reductions in community and business crime.
“This improvement is a testament to the work our officers and staff have carried out to identify offenders, secure positive outcomes, work with local and business communities to prevent offences from occurring in the first place and working to prevent anti-social behaviour. Our strong partnerships with our stakeholders demonstrates our whole systems approach to continue to make Dorset the safest county.”
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