There were six per cent more knife crime offences in England and Wales in 2018 than in 2017, figures from the ONS show.
The total number of crimes recorded by police hit 5.8 million, up seven per cent from 2017 while robberies rose by 11 per cent to 82,566.
The number of violent offences recorded by police last year topped 1,608,500, a 19 per cent increase on 2017. Despite the increase in killings and knife crime, the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) suggested there was no overall rise in violent crime.
2018 saw an 8% increase in overall theft offences estimated by the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), which is mainly driven by a 20% increase in “other household theft”.
The figures also showed a 6% increase in the number of homicides but a 2% decrease in the number of police recorded offences involving firearms.There was also a a 12% increase in fraud offences and a 28% decrease in computer misuse.
This figure excludes Greater Manchester Police who record crimes in a different way.
Stalking and harassment both saw the highest percentage rise year-on-year – 47%, which forces have previously attributed to changes in how these offences are recorded.
Commenting on today’s figures, Alexa Bradley from the Office for National Statistics Centre for Crime and Justice said:
“When we look at the overall level of crime, there has been no significant change over the last year. However, it is important to look at each crime type separately because the picture is very mixed. Even within crime types we have seen differences. Robbery and vehicle offences have increased whereas burglary has decreased. Lower-volume high-harm violence involving knives has risen, whereas offences involving firearms have decreased.”
Diane Abbott MP, Shadow Home Secretary,said:
“Once again, these are deeply troubling crime figures under this government.
“Members of the public and police officers are both increasingly concerned about the growth of serious crime including knife crime. But Ministers are in denial, refusing to accept that their cuts to police forces have had any impact either on crime levels or the ability to apprehend the criminals.
“The government is failing in one of its most basic duties, to protect its own citizens. These reckless cuts must end.”
