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First knife crime rise in four years First knife crime rise in four years
(35 minutes later)
Knife crime across England and Wales has risen for the first time in four years, official figures have revealed.Knife crime across England and Wales has risen for the first time in four years, official figures have revealed.
In the 12 months to April police recorded 13% more assaults with knives than the previous year. Police recorded 13,488 knife assaults in the year ending March 2015, up 13% from 11,911 the previous year.
The Office for National Statistics said the increase was "real" and was unlikely to be due to changes in police recording practices.The Office for National Statistics said the increase was "real" and was unlikely to be due to changes in police recording practices.
The separate Crime Survey for England and Wales said that crime fell overall by 7% - continuing a downward trend.The separate Crime Survey for England and Wales said that crime fell overall by 7% - continuing a downward trend.
It suggested that crime had fallen to its lowest level since 1981, estimating that there were 6.8 million crimes in 2014/15.It suggested that crime had fallen to its lowest level since 1981, estimating that there were 6.8 million crimes in 2014/15.
In contrast, the ONS data suggested that police recorded crime increased by 3%, with a 23% rise in violence against the person offences - but the ONS said this increase was thought to reflect changes in recording practices. In contrast, the ONS data suggested that police recorded crime increased by 3%, with 3.8 million offences recorded in the year ending March 2015.
Possession of knife offences rose by 10%, sexual assaults with knives went up 28%, and the overall knife crime rise was 2%, the data showed. The ONS said this was driven by a 23% rise in violence against the person offences - but it said this increase was thought to reflect changes in recording practices.
Such serious offences are not thought to be prone to changes in recording practice. The data also showed that possession of knife offences rose by 10%, sexual assaults with knives went up 28%, and the overall knife crime rise was 2%.