Violent crime spin?

[Guest pelmetman]

From the Mail 6 days ago ;-)

 

 

Violent crime in Britain has fallen by a quarter in the past decade, according to a study.

 

The UK has experienced a ‘substantial and sustained’ fall in offences ranging from drunken thuggery to murder since 2003, the report suggests.

 

And official statistics show violent crime is now at its lowest level for 30 years.

 

The UK Peace Index study, published yesterday, also identifies the villages and towns across the country where crime is at its lowest, and the urban centres where it is still rampant.

 

From the BBC today *-)

 

'Community resolutions' used in 10,000 serious violence cases

 

Unlike a caution, a community resolution does not lead to a criminal record

 

Police in England and Wales dealt with more than 10,000 serious violence offences without prosecutions or cautions last year.

 

Instead "community resolutions", which can include an apology or compensation to the victim, were used.

 

That was despite Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines saying such crimes should be dealt with formally.

 

The data came from 33 police forces in England and Wales which responded to a Freedom of Information request.

 

It was analysed by the House of Commons library after being obtained by the Labour Party.

 

BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said police were increasingly being encouraged to deal with minor incidents informally to reduce the burden on the criminal justice system.

 

Offenders who admit to serious and violent crimes - including knife crime, domestic violence, and serious assault - are increasingly being let off with no criminal record, no justice and not even a caution”

 

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper

As part of this approach, known as a community resolution - or restorative justice - the offender apologises to the victim, pays compensation or repairs any damage caused and is given advice about his or her behaviour.

 

Unlike a caution, a community resolution does not lead to a criminal record.

 

The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) advises in guidelines that community resolutions should be used for "less serious" offences which may include "minor assaults without injury".

 

But last year a community resolution was applied in 10,160 incidents of "serious violence" - about 12 times the figure for five years ago, the figures obtained by Labour show.

 

Incidents classed as serious violence include:

 

Inflicting GBH without intent

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm

Malicious wounding

Wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm

Use of substance or object to endanger life

Grievous bodily harm

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the figures were "extremely serious".

 

There had been "a massive increase in the number of serious and violent crimes dealt with just by community resolution ever since the police cuts started - breaking all the expert guidance and promises from ministers", she said.

 

"Offenders who admit to serious and violent crimes - including knife crime, domestic violence and serious assault - are increasingly being let off with no criminal record, no justice and not even a caution.

 

"That's bad for justice, bad for victims and goes against all the evidence."

 

Ministers had "allowed this to happen," she said.

 

 

We are clear that these cases should be judged upon their outcomes, not only for the victim, but the offender and wider community”

 

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan

Acpo's Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said guidelines were in place "to help forces decide where the use of community resolutions might be appropriate.

 

"But in every case, this decision will be victim-led and above all reflect their views and wishes.

 

"At times it may be necessary, and appropriate, to use such informal resolutions to deal with more serious cases."

 

He said: "Going through a restorative justice meeting has also been proven to have more impact on an offender than a prison sentence or a court punishment alone, as they see the consequences of their actions and so want to make changes in their future behaviour."

 

He added: "We are clear that these cases should be judged upon their outcomes, not only for the victim, but the offender and wider community."

 

The Restorative Justice Council - "the national voice for restorative practice" - said it should be "available for all victims of crime who want it, subject to a risk assessment by a trained restorative justice professional".

 

"When offered alongside the right sentence for the offender, restorative justice can meet the needs of victims of the most serious crimes," director Lizzie Nelson said.

 

So it appears that violent crime hasn't dropped.......they've just stopped prosecuting thugs 8-)