The number of crimes involving violence in England and Wales has risen to 1,075,000, new Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show.
Crime estimates for England and Wales have nearly doubled after fraud and cyber offences were included in the total for the first time, the figures reveal.
A change in the recording of cyber crime and fraud pushed the total up to 11.8 million – almost double the level previously reported.
Overall crime recorded by police rose by 8 per cent to 4.7 million offences in the year to the end of September, driven largely by a 22 per cent rise in violence against the person.
The sharp rise was mainly driven by changes in recording in methods and including additional harassment offences. They included revenge porn – the “disclosure of private sexual photographs and films with the intent to cause distress or anxiety”; and trolling – “sending letters with intent to cause distress or anxiety” – which also covers emails, texts and social media messages.
Gun crime, domestic burglary, shoplifting and vehicle offences recorded by police forces in England and Wales were also up.
