CRIME IS ON THE INCREASE FOR FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS, ACCORDING TO POLICE
FIGURE

Government pledges to cut crime were called into question yesterday
after a survey showed a marked rise in offences for the first time in
six years.

The overall number of offences in England and Wales rose by more than
6 per cent in the year to March 2002, driven by a continued surge in
muggings and an unexpected increase in burglaries.

On average, 850 more crimes were reported every day, with most areas
" rural and urban " recording an increase. The survey, published
yesterday, suggests that when David Blunkett, the Home Secretary,
releases the official figures in a few weeks' time, 38 of the 43
police forces will have recorded increases.

The rises " reversing a long-standing trend for the overall crime
rate to fall " will prove a blow to the Government's law and order
strategy. The Prime Minister has pledged to make it a priority,
famously promising to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of
crime.

Chris Fox, vice-president of the Association of Chief Police Officers
and Chief Constable of Northamptonshire, explained: "A main cause has
been an upturn in the use of harder drugs, which has fuelled
acquisitive crime."

West Yorkshire Police saw a crime rise of 15 per cent. In Suffolk, the
rate was up 14 per cent; Lincolnshire was up 11 per cent; Derbyshire
was up 10 per cent; and Greater Manchester 4 per cent.

The survey was by The Sunday Times, which obtained final figures from
33 of the 43 police forces in England and Wales as well as forecasts
from another nine constabularies.

Avon and Somerset reported a 29 per cent increase in burglary and a 77
per cent rise in street robbery, apparently fuelled by the use of
heroin and crack cocaine. The Metropolitan Police reported a 5 per
rise in burglary and street crime will be up by 38 per cent.

Asked if the overall 6 per cent rise was correct, the Home Office
minister Beverley Hughes conceded the official figures, to be
published in July, were likely to show a rise but would not say how
large.

She said: "We've seen crime figures falling for six years now. We know
that if there is a rise it's related specifically to crime in
association with Class A drugs and street crime. We are dealing
specifically with both of those issues."

Later this month, senior government officials and police
representatives will meet in a special summit to discuss crack cocaine
and how it is affecting society. The stimulant is being blamed for
unprecedented levels of gun crime