Crime at the lowest level since statistics began

Crime levels are down 9% year-on-year, half the rate they were when at their peak in 1995, while police recorded offences have reduced by 7% in the past year to the lowest level since 2003.

Public order offences, which include low-level violence, disorder and anti-social behaviour, particularly around licensed premises, were down 12% since last year and 39% since 2008.

The figures, which were released last week in the survey titled Crime in England and Wales, relate to the year ending March 2013.

Kate Nicholls, strategic affairs director at the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said: “These results show the direct benefits of enhanced partnership working between the police and responsible operators, and the investment businesses have made in security and management standards – an investment which has increased more than 60% over the last 5 years - to stamp out public order problems and anti-social behaviour inside and around their premises.

“Bad behaviour is bad for business and, as the Government acknowledges, this significant drop in low level offences in and around pubs and clubs is as a result of a zero-tolerance approach, effective door security and a proactive approach to enforcement. This not only drives down crime but bad behaviour generally and makes our town centres a safer, more friendly place to enjoy a night out.”

In 1995, five in every 100 people experiences serious violent crime, a figure which has now fallen to 3 in every 100. For low-level violence, disorder and threats to public safety – which includes street fights – the figure is now as low as 1 in 500.

Anti-social behaviour has also decreased at a rate of two and a half times that of total crime, dramatically reducing by 17% in the past year.

The number of people perceiving anti-social behaviour to be a problem has also dropped – from a quarter to a fifth in ten years – and it is considered less of a problem than litter, noisy neighbours and loitering teenagers. However, the perceived levels are still higher than the recorded number of people who had witnessed or been directly affected by drunken behaviour, which is only 10%.

Nicholls continued: “The figures show that you are now far less likely to be caught up in, witness or experience public disorder or anti-social behaviour than at any time over the past 30 years. The myth of no-go areas filled with drunken and rowdy people who are out of control is simply that – perception does not match reality.”

She added that the industry should continue to reduce these levels even further and invest in proven solutions to address problems, such as Best Bar None and Pub and Club Watch.

“We would like politicians to recognise that we are part of the solution to addressing these issues, not part of the problem,” she said.