The annual publication ‘Crime in England and Wales 2007/08’ includes results from the British Crime Survey and crimes recorded by the police for the 12 months up to March 2008.
The figures show that:
· Recorded crime fell by 12 per cent in the North West region between 2006/07 and 2007/08. This compares with a national fall of 9 per cent in recorded crime.
· Included in the overall figure is a fall of 18 per cent in Merseyside, 11 per cent in Cheshire, 10 per cent in Greater Manchester and nine per cent in both Lancashire and Cumbria.
Welcoming the figures, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith praised the work of local front line agencies involved in the fight against crime.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
“The fall in crime across the North West shows the difference that can be made when we work together to tackle crime and is a testament to the effort and commitment shown by police and crime reduction partners around the region.
“I now want to go further and build on this success to ensure that people feel safer and are confident we are tackling the crimes which concern them most.
“I am determined to deliver more reductions in all types of crime and particularly violence involving knives and guns. Whilst the BCS shows violence falling by 40 per cent since 1997, with a 12 per cent fall in the last year alone, we also know that knives are still being used in the most serious violent incidents.
“The Youth Crime Action Plan published this week is just one part of a comprehensive package of tough enforcement and intensive prevention measures we have put in place to tackle violent crime wherever it occurs.”
Home Office Regional Director Gail Porter added:
"We have seen the total recorded crime rate in the North West decrease significantly, which is testament to the hard work being carried out right across the region by police forces and partners alike.
"Many areas are not just meeting targets but exceeding them by some distance which is excellent news for everyone living and working in the North West.
"We will all strive to build on this tremendous progress by continuing our efforts to reduce crime."
Nationally both the BCS and police recorded crime show crime has fallen along with the risk of being a victim of crime. The BCS shows crime has fallen by ten per cent (with a 12 per cent fall in violent crime) and police recorded crime shows a nine per cent fall compared to 2006/07.
The BCS shows the risk of becoming a victim of crime has fallen from 24 to 22 per cent. Both overall crime and the risk of victimisation are now at their lowest levels since the first BCS results in 1981.
