DRUG CRIME RISES 14% LATEST CRIME FIGURES REVEAL

The number of drug offences recorded by police in England and Wales
rose 14 per cent in the second quarter of this year, Home Office
figures showed today.

There were 55,000 drug crimes from April to June, up from 48,300 in
the same period last year.

Overall recorded crime levels fell seven per cent to just under
1,300,000 offences.

Recorded levels of violent crime were down eight per cent overall,
including a 14 per cent drop in most serious violence.

The separate British Crime Survey (BCS) showed a one per cent rise in
violent crime, including a two per cent rise in offences causing
injury, but the Home Office said these increases were not
statistically significant.

The BCS, which ministers regard as the most accurate reflection of
crime levels, estimated there were 11,022,000 crimes in the year to
the end of June - which was stable on the previous 12 months.

In the recorded crime figures, robbery showed a nine per cent fall,
sexual offences also dropped nine per cent and criminal damage
dropped by ten per cent.

Firearms offences fell six per cent in the year to the end of June,
to a provisional 9,712 incidents.

The Home Office said the rise in drugs offences "coincided with
increases in the police use of powers to issue cannabis warnings".

Today's research showed that public confidence in the criminal
justice system has fallen across the board.

In all seven categories - including whether the system is effective
at bringing offenders to justice, reducing crime and meeting the
needs of victims - satisfaction among interviewees showed a decline.

But in two of the seven categories the results were not statistically
significant, the report said.

Home Office minister Tony McNulty said: "I am encouraged that the BCS
shows stability after historic falls and the police figures show that
total recorded crime is down by seven per cent.

"Reductions in violence against the person, domestic burglary and
criminal damage all point to significant progress.

"In fact, the chances of being a victim of crime are around their
lowest level since the survey began in 1981."

He added: "The Government is also committed to tackling the fear of
crime and these latest statistics remind us that burglary, car crime,
violent crime and anti-social behaviour remain concerns for the public.

"That's why we have invested in record numbers in the police service
and provided them with an armoury of tools to crack down on those who
spread misery in our communities.

"Neighbourhood policing teams will be an integral part of every force
by next April, helping to make everyone feel safer and more confident
in reporting crime.

"These figures are promising but we are not complacent, and we will
continue to invest in and support the fight against crime."