Shocking knife crime figures for Hampshire

2:21pm Thursday 17th July 2008

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THERE is more knife crime in Hampshire than anywhere else in the South East, new Government figures show.

Home Office figures released today show that in last year, there were 388 offences involving a knife in Hampshire.

In neighbouring forces the figures were 329 recorded knife attacks in Thames Valley and 114 knife offences in Surrey.

This is the first time incidents involving a blade have been recorded separately, rather than falling under the umbrella of violent crime.

The step has been taken in light of the growing public concern about youth stabbings.

Police recorded a total of 22,151 offences involving knives last year in England and Wales, with 7,428 occurring in London (areas covered by the Metropolitan and City of London Police).

Knife offences include wounding, causing grievous bodily harm, attempted murder and robbery.

The figures are released on the day that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith published a new package of police reforms.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also announced radical changes, pledging to cut the amount of paperwork officers have to do to get them back out on the streets.

Overall however, recorded crime in the South East has actually fallen by nine per cent within the last year.

One of Hampshire's big success stories was recording the largest percentage decrease in vehicle crime, which fell by 18 per cent.

Commenting on the South East figures, Miss Smith said: "The fall in crime in the South East shows the difference that can be made when we work together to tackle crime."

She added: "I am determined to deliver more reductions in all types of crime and particularly violence involving knives and guns."