Jack Dromey MP, Shadow Policing Minister, in response to new recorded crime figures said:

“New figures show police recorded crime has now gone up across the country and some of the most serious crimes have soared to the highest levels in years. Knife crime has risen for the first time in four years, sexual offences have risen by 37 per and fraud is up by 17 per cent.

“In the East of England, recorded violent crime has gone up by 28 per cent since last year. To make matters worse, the police forces  in the area have lost 1,233 police officers in the past five years, with more set to go.

“Theresa May is failing to recognise the true picture of crime in the UK. She plans to scrap another 17,000 police officers nationally on top of the 17,000 that have already gone. This comes at the worst possible time. Our depleted police forces are facing increasingly complex demands to tackle current and historic child exploitation and abuse, a serious and growing threat of terrorism and sexual and violent crime.

“By failing to heed the warning signals, the Home Secretary is taking a reckless gamble with public safety and security.”

Notes

Table 1 -; Percentage increase in violent crime by police force

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/year-ending-march-2015/index.html

Table 2 -; Cuts in police numbers by police force

Table 2 -; Cuts in police numbers by police force