Police chiefs respond to release of latest crime statistics

"It is good news that the number of people reporting crimes against them has fallen 30 per cent since 2010 and 66 per cent since peak levels in 1995.  The 6 per cent increase in police recorded crime reflects our work to improve crime recording across the country.  Many of the notable increases in specific crimes are attributed to more reporting and better recording.

"The NPCC Lead for Child Protection Chief Constable Simon Bailey has said that increased confidence of victims to report crimes to the police has resulted in the significant increase in recorded crime but that, as the numbers continue to increase, we need to consider whether more offences are being perpetrated and he is looking at this issue.

"We believe that the increase in knife crime is about more than changes in recording and that the number of people carrying knives is on the rise. This is a worrying development after many years of reducing knife crime and chief officers are working together to determine how best to respond."

"Police chiefs are working individually, collectively and closely with key partners to adapt to the threats we are facing today and will do in the future so we can continue to reduce the number of people impacted by crime in the UK."