The number of violent offences recorded by the police per 1,000 local resident population.
Crime imposes economic costs, reinforces social exclusion and can hasten the environmental decline of neighbourhoods. Fear of crime can make people reluctant to walk or even use public transport or go out after dark. Much acquisitive crime, such as shop lifting and burglary, is committed by drug-misusing offenders to feed their habits. Not everyone is at equal risk of becoming a victim of crime. Young men, as well as being the most common perpetrators of crime, are also the most likely victims of street crime, especially physical assaults. Older people, especially women, are more likely to be victims of theft from the person. Fear of crime can also be a cause of mental distress and social exclusion. In particular, women and older people tend to worry more about becoming victims and this may prevent them from engaging in social activities. People who suffer from poor health are more likely to be victims of crime than those in good health. However, this may be because of the association of disadvantage with victimisation and poor health, rather than poor health causing victimisation. The Home Office Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2005-08 target was to “reduce crime by 15%, and further in high crime areas, by 2007-08”. Between 2002/03 (baseline) and 2007/08, overall crime fell by 18%, hence exceeding the target. The PSA Delivery Agreement 23 as stated in the HM Treasury Group Strategic Objectives 2008–2011 aims at making communities safer by March 2011 and sets out priority actions, including reducing the most serious violence and continuing to make progress on serious acquisitive crime through a focus on the issues of greatest priority in each locality and the most harmful offenders – particularly drug-misusing offenders.
This indicator has been discontinued and so there will be no further updates.
Legacy unique identifier: P01096