Jack Dromey MP Labour’s Shadow Policing Minister, responding to today’s crime statistics, said

“Long term reductions in crime levels are continuing and this is welcome, but it is of real concern that these reductions are slowing.

“There are worrying increases in muggings across the country, while violence against the person has increased in 13 police force areas across England and Wales, with notable increases in some areas.

“And, as police leaders are saying, crime is changing. Fraud has increased by 21%, but we know this is just the tip of the iceberg because much online crime goes unreported. That’s why the Government needs to follow Labour’s lead with a serious action plan to tackle online fraud and scams.

“The significant increase in sexual offences must of course be seen in the context of Operation Yewtree but, as the Office for National Statistics states, this is thought to only partly explain the rise.  The Government should be working with forces to tackle this crime, instead of making it harder by destroying DNA.

“Theresa May is showing a worrying level of complacency and this Government is making it harder, not easier, to tackle crime. After crime fell by 43 per cent with Labour it’s time this out of touch Government came up with a plan rather than sitting on their hands.”