Total recorded crime fell slightly in England and Wales in the last part of 2006 - although robberies went up.
Total recorded crime fell slightly in England and Wales in the last part of 2006 - although robberies went up.
Statistics released by the Home Office show the number of offences recorded by the police fell by 2% between October and December 2006.
Statistics released by the Home Office show the number of offences recorded by the police fell by 2% between October and December 2006.
The police recorded 8% more robberies during the quarter - although violent crime as a whole fell by 2%.
The police recorded 8% more robberies during the quarter - although violent crime as a whole fell by 2%.
The British Crime Survey study of public experience says levels remain largely stable, except for vandalism.
The British Crime Survey study of public experience says levels remain largely stable, except for vandalism.
Violent crime
We have cut robbery by a fifth over the past five years - but any rise, however slight, reminds us there is still work to do Home Office Minister, Tony McNulty
Crime figures for England and Wales are complex because the government relies on two separate measures - incidents recorded by the police and the British Crime Survey (BCS), a rolling study of thousands of people.
Crime figures for England and Wales are complex because the government relies on two separate measures - incidents recorded by the police and the British Crime Survey (BCS), a rolling study of thousands of people.
The BCS is regarded as the more reliable because it includes unreported crimes.
The BCS is regarded as the more reliable because it includes unreported crimes.
The BCS suggests violent crime remained stable - but recorded crime figures show 4,000 fewer incidents during the last three months of 2006. The greatest falls were in serious violent crime, said the Home Office.
The BCS suggests violent crime remained stable - but recorded crime figures show 4,000 fewer incidents during the last three months of 2006. The greatest falls were in serious violent crime, said the Home Office.
Provisional statistics indicate there was a 16% drop in firearms offences - to 9,513 incidents in 2006 as a whole. While deaths from firearms rose from 53 to 57, serious and slight firearms injuries fell by 12% and 28% respectively.
Provisional statistics indicate there was a 16% drop in firearms offences - to 9,513 incidents in 2006 as a whole. While deaths from firearms rose from 53 to 57, serious and slight firearms injuries fell by 12% and 28% respectively.
Victim risk
RECORDED PROPERTY CRIME Domestic burglary: -3%Other burglary: -4%Vehicle-related theft: -3%Other theft: -3%Fraud/forgery: -15%Criminal damage: +2% Note: Figures refer to change between the last three months of 2005 and the last three of 2006
Overall, the BCS suggests crime remained stable at just above 11 million offences in 2006.
Overall, the BCS suggests crime remained stable at just above 11 million offences in 2006.
The risk of being a victim of crime stood at 24%, a marginal increase on the previous year.
The risk of being a victim of crime stood at 24%, a marginal increase on the previous year.
Thefts from cars also remained stable, but vandalism rose by 11% according to the BCS.
Thefts from cars also remained stable, but vandalism rose by 11% according to the BCS.
Crimes recorded by the police indicated burglaries fell by 3%, vehicle thefts by 3% and violent crime by 2% while robberies rose by 8% and drug offences by 3%.
Crimes recorded by the police indicated burglaries fell by 3%, vehicle thefts by 3% and violent crime by 2% while robberies rose by 8% and drug offences by 3%.
The Home Office Minister, Tony McNulty, said: "We have cut robbery by a fifth over the past five years - but any rise, however slight, reminds us there is still work to do.
In a time of increased media attention surrounding crimes involving firearms, firearms offences have actually significantly reduced Ian Johnston, of the Association of Chief Police Officers
"Mobile phones are still involved in over 50% of street robberies, which is why we have established regional robbery action plans to address a problem concentrated in specific areas.
"We have also worked with the mobile phone industry to ensure over 80% of stolen phones are now blocked within 48 hours."
Mr McNulty added figures showed a steady fall in crime during the decade, with the BCS suggesting the drop was as large as a third.
Ian Johnston, of the Association of Chief Police Officers, also head of the British Transport Police, said that while robberies were up, the figures showed targeted operations on key crimes worked.
He added: "In a time of increased media attention surrounding crimes involving firearms, firearms offences have actually significantly reduced."
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