‘Alarming‘ increase in violent crime

THE number of violent crimes in Wales has almost doubled in the space of nine years while the number of police officers has dropped by a tenth.

In Wales, there were 68,422 violence against the person crimes reported in the year to September 2017, a 98% rise from 34,522 reports in the year ending September 2009.

Over the same period, the full-time equivalent number of police officers had falled by 9%, from 7,549 in September 2009 to 6,690 in September 2017, a total of 659 officers.

The news comes as leaked Home Office documents have suggested there may be a link between rising crime rates and falling police numbers.

The Guardian reported that a document entitled “Serious violence: latest evidence on the drivers” says that as crime demand has grown and officer numbers have fallen, “so resources dedicated to serious violence have come under pressure and charge rates have dropped. This may have encouraged offenders”.

The document also says “[It is] unlikely to be the factor that triggered the shift in serious violence, but may be an underlying driver that has allowed the rise to continue.”

In the past year alone, Wales has seen a 20% rise in violent crime, up from 56,993 cases, although police officer numbers have risen by 1% or 65 officers.

In South Wales, there were 30,715 violence against the person crimes reported in the year to September 2017, the latest figures, a 106% rise from 14,918 reports in the year ending September 2009.

However, over the same period, the full-time equivalent number of police officers at the force has fallen by 8%, from 3,129 in September 2009 to 2,890 in September 2017, a loss of 239 officers.

Deputy Chief Constable Richard Lewis, of South Wales Police, said: “While these figures – and the recent well-publicised events in London – are alarming, to say the rise in violent crime is attributed solely to falling police officer numbers is probably too simplistic.

“We are dealing with crimes that are becoming ever more complex; changes in bail, additional requirements in relation to disclosure and the movement of crime into the digital space, all paint a picture of policing that is evolving and changing.

“Additionally, demand – as recorded by the number of 999 calls and incidents recorded – is increasing and placing a further burden on us to respond alongside other public sector partners, who also face significant challenges in respect of reductions in finance and maintaining service provision.

“We have recognised that crime disproportionately affects the vulnerable and have increased our investment in resources which focus on protecting the most vulnerable in our communities while at the same time protecting and preserving our investment in neighbourhood policing. But it remains a constant and difficult balance.”

Across England and Wales, there was a 20% rise in violent crime, made up of violence against the person, both with and without injury, and homicide, in a year.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the Government recognised officers had come under additional pressure following a rise in reporting of crime.

Ms Rudd said she had addressed this by ensuring forces “have the resources when they need them”.