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Search for press releasesHome Secretary statement on crime statistics
22 January 2009
Statement by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith about the latest crime figures published today.
'Today’s statistics show that overall crime is stable and the risk of being a victim remains historically low. Since 1997, crime has fallen by 39% and violence is down by 40%.
'I welcome the figures which show that overall recorded violent crime is down six per cent – over 15,000 fewer violent crimes - and I congratulate the police for their major role in delivering this. They have also recorded falls in robbery, gun crime and vehicle crime. But we know there is more work to do - with particular crime types, and in particular areas.
'We remain concerned about serious violence and in particular knife crime. That's why we are taking targeted action in 10 areas under the Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP). By the end of October, over 105,000 stop and searches had been conducted in TKAP areas, resulting in over 2,200 knives seized. If you carry a knife, you’re now more likely to get caught, more likely to be prosecuted, and more likely to go to prison – and for longer. Since June we have provided over 700 search arches and wands to TKAP areas to reassure the public and get knives off our streets. Over the next three months we are investing £3.4 million in the 10 TKAP areas to significantly increase levels of after-school patrol outside schools and on routes homes.
'We have already delivered a 55% reduction in burglary since 1997. That means we know what works and that’s why in the next fortnight I'll be holding a summit with the police and partners, like Neighbourhood Watch, Age Concern and DIY stores to make sure we are all doing our bit to keep burglary and other thefts down - and to come up with practical measures which will offer real help to people. This will be backed by a Home Office fund dedicated to helping people in hard times and by a burglary prevention campaign that will begin in February. There will be a small minority of criminals who think they can take advantage in tough times. Let me tell them now, they can’t and they won’t.
'We are determined to stay on the front foot in keeping crime down but this needs to involve all of us, presenting a united front against the small minority who continue to commit crime. We know that our policies have been successful in bringing crime down over the past 10 years, and should continue to impact.
'We continue to work shoulder to shoulder with police and the Association of Chief Police Officers themselves have said they have never been in a better position to meet the current challenges – the service is bigger, better and stronger than ever before.'
