Crime Falls To Lowest Level In 33 Years

Crime continued to fall last year, down 15% to the lowest level since records began more than 30 years ago.

Figures published by the Office of National Statistics showed a sharp fall in violence, which was down by more than 20%, and vandalism, which fell by 15%.

There were 7.5 million crimes against households and adults in the year to December 2013

Data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales showed an increase in shoplifting of 6% and a big jump in fraud of 25%.

However, the number of victims of historic sex crimes coming forward appears to have dropped.

The number of reported sexual offences has repeatedly risen since abuse allegations against late DJ Jimmy Savile emerged and Scotland Yard launched its national sex crime inquiry, Operation Yewtree.

In 2013, historic sexual offences - defined as crimes that occurred more than 20 years ago - made up 41% of the increase, but this is now 21%.

Police figures have shown only a 2% fall in overall crime, a smaller decrease than in previous years.

The drop has been linked to improvements in recording in the wake of concerns about the quality of data.

Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker said: "We can have confidence that England and Wales are safer than they have been for decades, with crime at its lowest level since the survey began in 1981.

"The Government has a strong record on reinforcing the independence and accountability of the statistics."

However, Labour's Shadow Policing Minister Jack Dromney said: "The Government should not be complacent.

"Seven police force areas show increases or no reduction in crime, some kinds of crime have seen big increases and these figures also don't capture the full picture, as retail crime isn't included in the crime survey.

"As our police service is hollowed out, with more than 15,000 police officers already lost, the thin blue line protecting our communities is being stretched still further."