This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29642455
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Rapes increase by 29% as overall crime falls in England and Wales | Rapes increase by 29% as overall crime falls in England and Wales |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of rapes reported to and recorded by police in England and Wales are at their highest ever level, police figures have shown. | The number of rapes reported to and recorded by police in England and Wales are at their highest ever level, police figures have shown. |
| There were 22,116 recorded rapes in the year to June, a rise of 29% on the year before, figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show. | There were 22,116 recorded rapes in the year to June, a rise of 29% on the year before, figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show. |
| The rise is partly due to more victims being willing to come forward. | The rise is partly due to more victims being willing to come forward. |
| Separate statistics from the Crime Survey for England and Wales showed overall crime fell by 16% to 7.1m. | Separate statistics from the Crime Survey for England and Wales showed overall crime fell by 16% to 7.1m. |
| The overall figure covers crimes against households and adults in England and Wales, and it is at its lowest level since the survey began in 1981. | The overall figure covers crimes against households and adults in England and Wales, and it is at its lowest level since the survey began in 1981. |
| Knife-point rapes | Knife-point rapes |
| The ONS figures also showed a 48% increase in knife-point rapes, from 199 to 294. | The ONS figures also showed a 48% increase in knife-point rapes, from 199 to 294. |
| Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said alleged victims were "now more willing to come forward". | Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said alleged victims were "now more willing to come forward". |
| He added: "We've improved the police recording of these terrible crimes and consequently we're now seeing an official increase." | He added: "We've improved the police recording of these terrible crimes and consequently we're now seeing an official increase." |
| Overall, police-recorded crime was stable, though fraud and shoplifting increased. | Overall, police-recorded crime was stable, though fraud and shoplifting increased. |
| Hate crime showed an increase of 5% to 44,480 incidents in the year-long period, up from 42,236 the previous year. | Hate crime showed an increase of 5% to 44,480 incidents in the year-long period, up from 42,236 the previous year. |
| Race hate crimes were also up 4% to 37,484 incidents and religious hate crimes were up 45% to 2,273 offences. | |
| BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said statisticians believed this was driven by higher levels of hate crime in the wake of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in May last year. | BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said statisticians believed this was driven by higher levels of hate crime in the wake of the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in May last year. |
| 'Have confidence' | 'Have confidence' |
| With regards to overall crime figures, Mr Baker said the government was "cracking crime". | With regards to overall crime figures, Mr Baker said the government was "cracking crime". |
| He said: "The public at large can have confidence that this is going in the right direction. | He said: "The public at large can have confidence that this is going in the right direction. |
| "I think people are less worried about crime than they were." | "I think people are less worried about crime than they were." |
| Thursday's figures do not cover Scotland and Northern Ireland. | Thursday's figures do not cover Scotland and Northern Ireland. |
| The overall crime rate rose by 1.7% in Northern Ireland in the 12 months to the end of August. | The overall crime rate rose by 1.7% in Northern Ireland in the 12 months to the end of August. |
| In March, the Scottish government said crime had fallen by 22% in four years. | In March, the Scottish government said crime had fallen by 22% in four years. |