Only one in thirteen cases generate a conviction

Unfortunate official statistics suggest that only half as many crimes are being solved as four years ago. And within that statistic less than one case in 13 is leading to a conviction. 

 

Offences resulting in a charge have dropped from 15.5 per cent in 2014-15 to a new low of 7.4 per cent in 2018-19. And rape charges dropping to just 1.4 per cent according to Home Office data.

 

Knife crime rose by 7 per cent to a record high and this number pushed overall offending in England and Wales to its highest level in 15 years. Additionally robberies were at a 12-year high, while firearms, rape, vehicle theft and fraud increased, too.

 

A Police spokesman blamed the fall in charges to a shortage of detectives. Lord Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police commissioner, commented, "It's because of the decimation of the detective force needed to investigate some of these offences, as well as the lack of neighbourhood policing. The other issue is the judicial system and ability to prosecute. It's taking time to take these cases through court, and cover the discovery of documents. The whole criminal justice system has slowed down and is in trouble."

 

Mr Rick Muir, director of the Police Foundation, further said: "Forces are rationing their investigative resources. A lot of crimes that are too difficult to investigate or don't score highly in terms of harm are not going to be prioritised. That's offences like cycle theft, shoplifting and car theft."

 

The National Crime Agency revealed a blitz on county lines gangs which had led to 700 arrests, the confiscation of £426,000 of drugs and the capture of 169 weapons (including 12 guns and swords, machetes, an axe, knives, samurai swords and a crossbow).

 

The Johnson Partnership

Doncaster Crime Solicitors