Crime rates have hit a record high while the number of cases being solved is at an all-time low, official figures reveal.
Some 6.5 million offences have been logged in the past year, up 12% on the previous 12 months.
The rise has been fuelled by an increase in sex crimes, up 20%, and violent attacks, up 13%, says the Office for National Statistics.
Other data shows that the rate of criminals being charged has fallen to a new low of 5.4% – down from over 15% just seven years ago.
Labour’s Yvette Cooper, Shadow Home Secretary, said: “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.”
The statistics showed 196,889 sexual offences, up from 164,043 the year before.
Some 2.1 million violent crimes against a person were catalogued by police in the 12 months to June, up 20% on pre-pandemic levels. But knife crime and homicides are below pre-pandemic levels.
Home Office figures point to just 5.4% of offences in England and Wales in the year to June 2022 resulted in a charge or summons against 5.6% in 2021/22.
A Home Office spokesperson admitted: “Everyone should have the security of a safe street and home. The fall in overall charge rates is deeply concerning. We are injecting record funds into policing.”
