Paddick: 14% rise in knife crime a result of reduction in visible policing

Figures out today have shown there was a sharp rise in serious and violent crime in 2016, including a 14% increase in knife crime.

Police forces have seen their budgets cut by £2.2 billion in real terms in recent years, according to the National Audit Office, and Theresa May has told police they will have to make more spending cuts in the years ahead.

Brian Paddick, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary and former Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police, commented:

"Recorded crime has been on the increase since cuts in police budgets have taken hold, with fewer police on our streets and more victims being let down.

"The reduction in visible policing is clearly a reason behind the rise in knife crime, both in terms of more young people carrying knives to feel safe and the work of the police being hampered.

"Even if you believe the double-digit increases in serious and violent crime might be affected by 'changes in recording processes', the increase in homicides and knife crime are deeply troubling.

"These figures also confirm that crime has not really been falling, but is increasingly moving online, with computer misuse and fraud offences now accounting for almost half the crimes victims say they have been subjected to.

"This government is undermining the ability of the police to do their job and keep communities safe.

"This will only get worse as a result of Theresa May's hard Brexit agenda that is set to blow a £100bn hole in public finances."

Today's figures on crime in England and Wales can be found here