John Baron MP slams Government denials about rise in violent crime

MP highlights new research showing violent crime has risen by 44% under Labour

John Baron MP has highlighted new independent figures which show violent crime has risen by 44% since Labour came to power, despite Government claims that changes to the way crime is measured makes it difficult to compare statistics. A recent analysis by independent researchers at the House of Commons Library has revealed that violent crime rose from 618,417 offences in 1998 to 887,942 offences last year.

The Government changed the method of recording violent crime in 2002. Ministers have insisted that it was impossible to assess Labour’s record on violent crime because of this change. The new research shows for the first time what the violent crime figures would have been if the new counting method had been in place since 1998.

John said:

“These independent findings make a mockery of Government spin that violent crime has dropped. They can no longer hide behind their claim that changes in method prevent a coherent analysis of their record, and must now face the facts – we have deep-seated problems that have to be tackled.”

“This new analysis fits in with what many ordinary people have been feeling, that violent crime is getting worse and the Government is failing to deal with it.”

“We can’t go on like this. We need new policies that will really get to grips with violent crime, including getting more police onto the streets and giving them more power to tackle violent and antisocial behaviour.”