New statistics out this week show the overall charge rate – the proportion of crimes which result in a suspect being arrested and then charged – has fallen to a record low of just 5.4%.
According to shocking crime statistics published on Thursday, arrests have dropped by 15,000 in just two years.
The rate of criminals being charged a year has fallen to a record low of 5.4% – down from over 15% just seven years ago.
The total number of criminals charged stands at 370,000 – down from almost 600,000 in 2015 (a fall of 36%). Meanwhile, the proportion receiving cautions and community penalties is also down by nearly two-thirds from 2015.
Over the past year, two million investigations were dropped with no suspect identified, including over 300,000 violent crimes and over a million thefts.
Meanwhile, new arrest statistics show that total arrests have more than halved under the Conservatives – with 15,000 fewer arrests than pre-pandemic, and 777,000 fewer arrests than in 2010.
Responding to the statistics, Portsmouth South’s Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“Police cuts have consequences for Portsmouth’s communities and these latest statistics paint a worrying picture of the failure of this government to get a grip of crime.
“Despite the Conservatives’ promises, there are over 6,000 fewer neighbourhood officers than in 2015, and 8,000 fewer PCSOs than in 2010.
“As I heard at my recent coffee morning with constituents on crime and anti-social behaviour, Portsmouth people want a visible police presence on the streets of our city to keep our communities safe.
“That’s why Labour in Government will restore neighbourhood policing, with 13,000 new neighbourhood officers, PCSOs and specials out on patrol in local teams”.
Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, added:
“After 12 years of the Conservatives more criminals are getting away with it, fewer criminals are being arrested or charged, and more victims are being let down.
“For the charge rate to now be at a record low is a complete disgrace and unfair on victims and communities who need to see justice.
“The Home Secretary has no plan to turn this around. Labour has a fully-costed plan to put 13,000 extra neighbourhood police and PCSOs on our streets, fighting crime at its source and supporting communities.”
