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See other news storiesHome Secretary's statement on the latest crime statistics
23 October 2008
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith issued a statement about the statistics.
The crime statistics, which cover the quarter ending in June 2008, show a significant drop in crime.
The Home Secretary's statement
'I welcome today’s figures which show that crime has fallen by 6%. Fewer people are being injured as a result of violence. Gun crime, robbery and homicides are down, and the chance of being a victim of crime is at its lowest level ever.
'Since 1997, crime has fallen by 39%, and crime is now at its lowest level since the British Crime Survey began in 1981. But we know there is more work to do - with particular crime types, and in particular areas.
'I remain concerned about serious violence and in particular knife crime. That’s why we are taking targeted action in ten areas under the Tackling Knives Action Programme (new window), which I launched in June.
'Already this is showing results – more than 2,200 knives have been seized following targeted stop and search operations, and courts are getting tougher with offenders. Since May the proportion sent immediately to prison for weapons possession in the Tackling Knives Action Programme areas has increased by almost a third.
'This is what we said we would do, and it is what we have delivered, working closely with the police and the judiciary.
'Last year we reduced police targets to give them greater flexibility to deal with local crime problems, and to prioritise tackling most serious violence. We revised offence categories for recording the most serious violence and clarified our guidance to police forces.
'This change means that this quarter’s figures are not comparable with last year’s. However, for most types of violence where the guidance hasn’t changed – like homicide, robbery and death by driving – the numbers are down since last year. And the overall number of violent crimes is down too - by 7% - almost 18,000 fewer violent crimes. Although it represents less than 1% of recorded crime, reducing serious violence will always be a priority for us.'
