Two North East Police Forces record highest rise in crime rates in England and Wales

Two North East Police Forces record highest rise in crime rates in England and Wales Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Two Police forces in the North East recorded the highest crime rate increases in England and Wales.

Rising levels of violence and theft are behind the largest annual increase in crime recorded by police in a decade, figures show.

The number of crimes recorded by police in England and Wales was nearly five million in the year to March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

It marks a 10% rise compared with the same 12-month period a year earlier.

The data was released on the day a Home Office report said police officernumbers have fallen to the lowest level in more than 30 years.

Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary recorded the highest rises in crime rates in England and Wales.

Northumbria Police Credit: Northumbria Police

  • More than 30,000 more crimes were recorded by Northumbria Police in the year ending March 2017 than the previous year.

Durham Constabulary Credit: Durham Constabulary

  • Durham Constabulary saw a rise by more than 10,000 in the number of crimes recorded.

Cleveland police Credit: Cleveland police

  • Cleveland Police recorded 50,901 offences up to the end of March this year, a 6% increase on the previous year.

North Yorkshire Police Credit: North Yorkshire Police

  • North Yorkshire was the only police force in our region to see a drop in the number of recorded crimes.

On a national level, police in England and Wales recorded 458,021 more offences, which the ONS said was partly driven by a rise in violence against the person, which soared 18% to 175,060 offences.

A long-term decline in the rate of theft was also reversed, rising 7% to 118,774, while public order offences jumped 39% to 78,697.

A rise in violent crimes, sexual offences and robbery is behind the largest annual increase in crime recorded by police in a decade.

Northumbria Police

  • 51% rise in violent crimes

  • 39% increase in robbery

  • 26% rise in sexual offences

Durham Police

  • 55% increase in violent crimes

  • 40% rise in robbery offences

  • 21% hike in sexual offences

Cleveland Police

  • 17% rise in violent crimes

  • 8% increase in robbery

  • 2% rise in sexual offences

North Yorkshire Police

  • 6% increase in violent crimes

  • 2% increase in robbery offences

  • 20% rise in sexual offences

A Durham Constabulary spokeswoman said:

Across England and Wales sexual offences rose 14% to the highest level since new recording standards were introduced in 2002, although the year-on-year rate of increase has slowed.

John Flatley, head of crime statistics for the ONS, said:

Policing and Fire Minister Nick Hurd said:

A full list of the figures can be found on the ONS website.