Credit crunch crime figures due out
- 00:01:08
- ITN
Credit crunch crime figures due out
Ministers fear the prospect of a rise in crimes like burglary linked to the recession as the latest figures are released. A draft memo from Home Secretary Jacqui Smith last year warned of increases in burglary and theft linked to the credit crunch. Figures for the third quarter of last year showed a 4 per cent rise in home break-ins, coinciding with sharp rises in unemployment. Opposition leaders warned of a "credit crunch crime wave". Figures for serious violent crime will be excluded from the statistics because of concerns over their accuracy. Ministers have suspended their publication after it emerged 18 forces were not counting attacks where serious harm was intended but did not happen. Data from hospitals showed Accident and Emergency departments treated 7 per cent more victims of violent attacks last year compared to 2007.
ITN | April 23, 2009
