Gun crime up – but mixed picture on violent crime
New crime figures from the Home Office show that gun crime rose three per cent this quarter.
It also records a rise in violent crime of 11 per cent, but ministers point out that the British Crime Survey (BCS) shows a fall of six per cent. They claim the increase in police reports of violent crime is down to greater reporting and recording of “low level” thuggery, which increased by 14 per cent, and a greater willingness to report sex offences. The Home Office also stresses that around half of violent crimes did not result in injury to the victim.
According to the BCS, which measures individuals’ experiences of crime, overall crime in England and Wales had fallen by seven per cent and the risk of being a victim of crime is at the lowest since the BCS began in 1981.
Gun crime, which has risen in the headlines following a series of tragic deaths is up by three per cent, with a rise of 35 per cent in the use of replica firearms. There was though a 15 per cent drop in fatal injuries.
Commenting on the results, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears, said that the figures are “encouraging”.
“The BCS figures show that worry about crime is going down, people are less worried about burglary, vehicle crime and violent crime than they were last year and fewer people think that anti-social behaviour is a problem in their area. We are not complacent and there is still a great deal to do, but this does highlight that our work on the ground, including record police numbers – almost 140,000 and over 4,000 community support officers – providing visibility and reassurance, is having an impact.
On violent crime, she asserted that progress is being made and “we are getting a clearer picture, mainly due to improvements in the way police record crimes, which mean low level thuggery, anti social behaviour and alcohol-related crime which are included in the violent crime figures are recorded more accurately.”
With half of all violent crime alcohol related, Ms Blears promised to build on the summer crackdown on alcohol related disorder, saying: “We will be using the experience of those who have successfully tackled violent crime in their areas to work alongside the police and crime partnerships in areas where violent crime is a problem. We are also working with the police on an enforcement campaign to crack down on the unacceptable use of replica guns.
“This work complements the Government’s strategy of focusing on areas that need support and getting alongside communities to solve the problems that affect them. The anti-social behaviour campaign and the prolific and priority offender strategy are examples of where this approach is working.”
The Home Office claims there is anecdotal evidence that tough anti-gun measures, including a mandatory minimum five year prison for gun possession is helping police and communities tackle illegal guns.
