Jack Dromey, Labour’s Shadow Police Minister, responding the ONS Violence Crime and Sexual Offences statistical release published today, said:

“These statistics confirm that police recorded crime is rising with some of the most serious offences soaring to the highest levels in years. To make matters worse, only half of violent incidents ever become known to the police – robbing victims of justice.

“Serious crimes are up but victims are being let down. The Tories have slashed police officers by 18,000, breaking their promise to the public to protect frontline officer numbers.

“The first duty of any Government is the safety and security of our citizens. By overseeing the sharpest decline in police numbers anywhere in the EU, the Tories are letting the British people down.”