Pubdate: Thu, 18 Oct 2007
Source: Daily Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Associated Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/108

DRUG CRIME RISES 14% LATEST CRIME FIGURES REVEAL

The number of drug offences recorded by  police in England and Wales
rose 14 per cent in the  second quarter of this year, Home Office
figures showed  today.

There were 55,000 drug crimes from April to June, up  from 48,300 in
the same period last year.

Overall recorded crime levels fell seven per cent to  just under
1,300,000 offences.

Recorded levels of violent crime were down eight per  cent overall,
including a 14 per cent drop in most  serious violence.

The separate British Crime Survey (BCS) showed a one  per cent rise in
violent crime, including a two per  cent rise in offences causing
injury, but the Home  Office said these increases were not
statistically  significant.

The BCS, which ministers regard as the most accurate  reflection of
crime levels, estimated there were  11,022,000 crimes in the year to
the end of June -  which was stable on the previous 12 months.

In the recorded crime figures, robbery showed a nine  per cent fall,
sexual offences also dropped nine per  cent and criminal damage
dropped by ten per cent.

Firearms offences fell six per cent in the year to the  end of June,
to a provisional 9,712 incidents.

The Home Office said the rise in drugs offences  "coincided with
increases in the police use of powers  to issue cannabis warnings".

Today's research showed that public confidence in the  criminal
justice system has fallen across the board.

In all seven categories - including whether the system  is effective
at bringing offenders to justice, reducing  crime and meeting the
needs of victims - satisfaction  among interviewees showed a decline.

But in two of the seven categories the results were not  statistically
significant, the report said.

Home Office minister Tony McNulty said: "I am  encouraged that the BCS
shows stability after historic  falls and the police figures show that
total recorded  crime is down by seven per cent.

"Reductions in violence against the person, domestic  burglary and
criminal damage all point to significant  progress.

"In fact, the chances of being a victim of crime are  around their
lowest level since the survey began in  1981."

He added: "The Government is also committed to tackling  the fear of
crime and these latest statistics remind us  that burglary, car crime,
violent crime and anti-social  behaviour remain concerns for the public.

"That's why we have invested in record numbers in the  police service
and provided them with an armoury of  tools to crack down on those who
spread misery in our  communities.

"Neighbourhood policing teams will be an integral part  of every force
by next April, helping to make everyone  feel safer and more confident
in reporting crime.

"These figures are promising but we are not complacent,  and we will
continue to invest in and support the fight  against crime."
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