Shoplifting down in pandemic, data reveals

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show overall crime recorded by police in England and Wales fell by 8% to approximately 5.6 million offences in 2020.

The ONS said the annual reduction in crime was mostly driven by “substantial falls” between April and June when the first lockdown took place. Crime increased again from July to September as restrictions were eased and fell again as further lockdown measures were imposed in the final months of the year.

Knife crime reduced by 9% and firearms offences fell by 11%. The decrease in knife crime was mostly driven by a 29% fall in robbery using a knife, the ONS added.

Sophie Sanders, from the Office for National Statistics Centre for Crime and Justice, said: “There were fluctuations in the level of crime experienced in England and Wales throughout 2020. This is supported by findings from the telephone-operated Crime Survey and police recorded crime data. Although a small proportion of these fluctuations will be the result of seasonal effects on crime trends, the majority can be attributed to the introduction and subsequent easing of national lockdown restrictions throughout the year.

“Most crime types have seen recorded offences fall year-on-year. The notable exceptions are drug offences, because of proactive police activity in crime hotspots during the first lockdown, while violence against the person also saw a small increase.”