Steep increase in violent crime
16 January 2001
The number of offences involving violence rose sharply last year despite a slight fall in the overall level, says the Home Office. Police recorded 5.2 million offences during the 12 months, a fall of 0.2%, raising doubts whether the Government had proved it was "tough on crime" in the run-up to a general election. The small decrease will be the figure Labour has to take to the country if an election is called in May, and opponents are saying the Government is failing on law andorder. There was a worrying rise in assaults and muggings in the 12 months to September last year, according to the figures for England and Wales. Violent crime overall rose by 8%, including a 21% increase in robberies.
Shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe said the figures were a "severe indictment" of theGovernment's law and order policies.
"This is the Government that said it was going to be `tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime' but the only people it has been tough on are the crime-fighters," she said.
"What have they achieved apart from having fewer policemen on the streets, fewer penalties and more people out of prison early? "TheConservative Party left a fall in crime of 16% and Labour simply haven't maintained progress because we're now being invited to rejoice over an overall fall of 0.2%." It is the ninth time in 10 years that violent crime has increased though last year's rise is half that of the year before.
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