Jack Dromey MP, Labour’s Shadow Policing Minister, responding to today’s crime statistics, said:
“The continued long term fall in overall crime is welcome, building on the reductions seen over the last decade and more.
“However, 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.
“The biggest concern is the big increase in fraud related crimes, up 25 per cent, with senior police officers warning that online crime is rising exponentially. The Home Office must take urgent steps to better monitor and tackle the very real crimes taking place in this area.
“The continued increases in sexual offences being reported and the persistent increase in violence against the person must be taken seriously.
“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. It is testament to their hard work and the efforts of the public that crime is continuing to fall. We must support this effort and not make fighting crime harder which is all too often what Theresa May and David Cameron seem to be doing.”