Crime falls across England and Wales
Crime fell by 4% across England and Wales in 2011-2012, to its lowest level in 23 years, the Office for National Statistics has announced.
Violent crime was down by 7%, and there was a 14% drop in the murder rate, taking it to its lowest point for 30 years.
There was a rise in some forms of theft, such as pick-pocketing, shoplifting and bicycle theft, which rose by 2%.
Nick Herbert, the Policing Minister said: "Today's figures show that despite the challenge of reducing police budgets, crime has continued to fall. They give the lie to the spurious claim that there is a simple link between overall police numbers and the crime rate."