Recorded crime down third in decade

The number of crimes recorded by police has dropped by a third over the last decade, figures have shown.

The overall crime recorded by police forces in England and Wales dropped to 3.9 million offences in the year to June, a third lower than in 2002/3, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Overall crime against adults was also down, falling 6% in the last year, but "after a period of little change the underlying trend remains fairly flat", said separate data from the Crime Survey of England and Wales (CSEW).

Crime fell across all headline offences recorded by police in the year to June, the ONS said. Violence against the person was down 6%, homicide down 14% and attempted murder down 12%, the figures showed.

Meanwhile, levels of violent crime estimated by the CSEW showed no statistically significant change in the year ending June 2012 compared with the previous year. Estimates of violent crime are now around half the level seen in 1995, the survey showed.

Crime Prevention Minister Jeremy Browne said: "Crime is falling. I want people to be safe and secure and this is very welcome news.

"Today's figures indicate you have the lowest chance of being a victim of crime since the survey began in 1981."

Police reform was working, he said, adding that it showed "how the police are deployed, rather than their absolute numbers, is what is key to cutting crime".

Deputy Chief Constable Douglas Paxton, of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said: "These overall crime reductions have been achieved at a time when forces are facing significant cash savings.

"The service remains determined to continue to build on the good work reflected in these publications and the results are a credit to those officers and staff who have faced the challenge of major efficiencies while continuing to tackle crime in our communities."