Provisional data from police forces in England and Wales shows police recorded crime is thirteen per cent lower than in the same period as 2019. Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) given to the public for breaches of Coronavirus Regulations rose as national restrictions were implemented in England.
In total, 42,675 FPNs have been recorded as having been issued in England and Wales under Coronavirus Regulations between Friday 27 March and Sunday 17 January. In England 38,452, were issued, and 4,223 in Wales.
80 per cent of all Coronavirus notices issued in England and Wales were given to those aged between 18-39.
Preliminary figures released today on police recorded crime provided to the National Police Chiefs’ Council from forces in England and Wales show an overall fall of thirteen per cent in the four weeks to 20 December 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.
Throughout the pandemic, sustained falls in crime have been recorded throughout periods of national lockdown, with crime only rising close to 2019 levels during the summer months. The falling trend following November’s national restrictions has continued throughout the periods covered by the Alert Level Tiers in England.
Particularly in the period just before Christmas and New Year, most of England and Wales were covered by continued restrictive measures based on the spread of the virus across Wales and English counties. Individuals were also more likely to stay home and isolate due to the prospect of household mixing being allowed for Christmas Day, allowing criminals less opportunities to commit crime.
It is expected that the crime rate will continue to fall for January as England entered a third national lockdown.
For the most recent recorded snapshot, for the four weeks to 20 December, serious violent crime, including Grievous Bodily Harm, Actual Bodily Harm and personal robbery reduced by 26 per cent, shoplifting was down 29 per cent, vehicle crime fell by 27 per cent and residential burglary was down by 28 per cent compared to the same period in 2019.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Martin Hewitt said:
“We have seen falls in crime during periods of national lockdown and we are beginning to see it again in January. There was no significant rise back towards 2019 levels observed in December. Many parts of England and Wales still faced significant restrictions in the run up to Christmas and New Year.
“Police will always strive to make the most effective use of any additional capacity when crime falls.”
Speaking about the continued rise of assaults against emergency service workers reported within this snapshot, at four per cent higher than in 2019, Mr Hewitt added:
“Assaults on emergency workers who do crucial work to keep the public safe are deplorable. We’ve been firm from the outset, together with the Director for Public Prosecutions, that we will do all we can to prosecute those who commit these criminal offences.”
