England's streets recorded over a million acts of violence last year, a startling figure that opens a window onto a national landscape where knife crime, sexual offences, and public disorder are not just statistics but a rising reality in communities from London to Lancashire.
Key Takeaways
- In the year ending March 2023, police in England and Wales recorded 1,000,737 violence against the person offences, a 4.2% increase from the previous year
- Violence with injury offences in England reached 352,941 in year ending March 2023, up 5% from 336,089 the year before
- In London, England, there were 178,456 assaults recorded by police in 2022/23, representing 18% of national total
- In the year ending March 2023, police recorded 194,683 sexual offences in England and Wales, a 2% increase from 190,858 previous year
- Rape offences: 70,330 recorded by police in England and Wales year ending March 2023, up 19% from 58,856
- Sexual assault offences totalled 68,000 in England per CSEW year ending December 2022
- In year ending March 2023, theft offences in England and Wales totalled 600,000, down 4% from previous year
- Shoplifting offences surged to 430,000 in England and Wales 2022/23, up 37%
- Theft from the person: 110,000 police-recorded in England 2023
- In the year ending March 2023, burglary offences in England and Wales fell 4% to 235,000 from 245,000
- Residential burglary: 145,000 police-recorded in England and Wales 2022/23
- Non-residential burglary: 90,000 offences England 2023
- Drug offences totalled 184,000 police-recorded in England and Wales year ending March 2023, up 13%
- Possession of Class A drugs: 112,000 offences England 2023
- Drug trafficking offences: 5,800 in England and Wales 2022/23
Violent and sexual crime rose across England while theft and burglary declined.
Burglary
1In the year ending March 2023, burglary offences in England and Wales fell 4% to 235,000 from 245,000
Verified2Residential burglary: 145,000 police-recorded in England and Wales 2022/23
Verified3Non-residential burglary: 90,000 offences England 2023
Verified4In London, residential burglaries: 28,000 in 2022/23, down 10%
Directional5CSEW burglary victims: 1.2% of households England year ending Dec 2022
Single source6Aggravated burglary: 700 offences England and Wales 2022/23
Verified7In West Midlands, burglaries: 18,000 residential 2022/23
Verified8Burglary with intent to commit sexual offence: 200 cases England 2023
Verified9In Greater Manchester, 12,500 burglaries 2022/23
Directional10Attempted burglary dwelling: 25,000 offences England and Wales 2022/23
Single source11Rural burglary rate in England: 3.2 per 1,000 households vs urban 5.1, 2022
Verified12In South Yorkshire, burglary down 15% to 6,500 2022/23
Verified13Commercial burglary: 45,000 incidents England 2023
Verified14In Cleveland, 5,200 residential burglaries 2022/23
Directional15Burglary clear-up rate: 8.5% England and Wales 2022/23
Single source16In Northumbria, burglaries: 9,000 2022/23
Verified17Shed/garage burglary: 30,000 outbuildings England 2022
Verified18In Kent, burglary offences: 7,500 2022/23
Verified19High-value burglary losses: average £3,200 per residential England 2023
Directional20In Derbyshire, 4,800 burglaries down 5% 2022/23
Single source21Burglary with damage: 60% of residential cases England 2022/23
Verified22In Avon and Somerset, 8,200 burglaries 2022/23
Verified23Night-time residential burglary: 40% of total England 2023
Verified24In Lancashire, burglary rate 4.1 per 1,000 2022/23
DirectionalBurglary Interpretation
While the national headline of falling burglary rates offers a glimmer of hope, the sobering reality of 235,000 violated properties, an 8.5% clear-up rate that's frankly criminal in itself, and the lingering threat behind every 200th break-in being sexually motivated suggests we're far from being able to rest easy, or leave the back door unlocked.
Drug Offences
1Drug offences totalled 184,000 police-recorded in England and Wales year ending March 2023, up 13%
Verified2Possession of Class A drugs: 112,000 offences England 2023
Verified3Drug trafficking offences: 5,800 in England and Wales 2022/23
Verified4In London, cannabis possession: 25,000 arrests 2022/23
Directional5Production of controlled drugs: 19,000 offences England and Wales 2022/23
Single source6In West Midlands, drug offences: 15,000 2022/23
Verified7Import/export drugs: 2,100 offences England 2023
Verified8Cocaine possession: 8,000 offences England and Wales 2022/23
Verified9In Greater Manchester, 12,000 drug crimes 2022/23
Directional10Supply of Class B drugs: 25,000 offences England 2023
Single source11County lines drug operations dismantled: 1,000 in England 2022/23
Verified12In South Yorkshire, drug possession: 4,500 2022/23
Verified13Heroin offences: 10,500 possession/supply England and Wales 2022/23
Verified14In Merseyside, drug trafficking: 800 cases 2022/23
Directional15Novel psychoactive substances offences: 500 in England 2023
Single source16In Northumbria, 9,000 drug offences 2022/23
Verified17Drug driving offences: 65,000 in England and Wales 2022/23
Verified18In Kent, cannabis supply: 2,000 offences 2022/23
Verified19Ecstasy/MDMA offences: 4,200 England 2023
Directional20In Cleveland, drug crimes up 20% to 6,500 2022/23
Single source21Permitting drug use premises: 1,200 offences England and Wales 2022/23
Verified22In Derbyshire, 5,000 drug possession 2022/23
Verified23Drug offence outcomes no further action: 75% England 2022/23
VerifiedDrug Offences Interpretation
Even as drug offences climb to a record 184,000, the sobering reality that three-quarters end with no further action suggests we're far better at counting criminals than catching them.
Sexual Offences
1In the year ending March 2023, police recorded 194,683 sexual offences in England and Wales, a 2% increase from 190,858 previous year
Verified2Rape offences: 70,330 recorded by police in England and Wales year ending March 2023, up 19% from 58,856
Verified3Sexual assault offences totalled 68,000 in England per CSEW year ending December 2022
Verified4In London, 13,500 rape allegations recorded by Met Police in 2022/23
Directional5Domestic abuse sexual offences: 54,000 flagged in England and Wales 2022/23
Single source6Child sexual abuse offences recorded: 85,000 in England and Wales year ending March 2023
Verified7In West Yorkshire, sexual offences: 8,900 in 2022/23, up 10%
Verified8Sexual grooming offences: 7,567 police-recorded in England and Wales 2022/23
Verified9Revenge porn (non-consensual sharing): 2,500 offences England 2023
Directional10In Greater Manchester, 4,200 sexual assaults recorded 2022/23
Single source11Adult sexual exploitation offences: 9,000 in England and Wales 2022/23
Verified12In South Wales (England border areas impact), but England sexual offences rate 2.1 per 1,000
Verified13Indecent exposure: 10,000 offences recorded England and Wales 2022/23
Verified14Voyeurism offences: 3,200 police-recorded in England 2023
Directional15In Merseyside, sexual crimes: 3,800 in 2022/23
Single source16Familial child sexual offences: 20% of total child sexual crimes in England 2022
Verified17In Nottinghamshire, 2,100 rape reports 2022/23
Verified18Sexual offence victim satisfaction with police: 25.4% in England and Wales 2022/23
Verified19Online sexual offences against children: 25,000 recorded England 2023
Directional20In Lancashire, sexual offences up 15% to 3,500 in 2022/23
Single source21Upskirting offences: 1,500 since law change in England 2019-2023
Verified22In Cambridgeshire, 1,800 sexual crimes 2022/23
Verified23Male rape victims: 7,000 offences England and Wales 2022/23
Verified24Sexual harassment CSEW estimate: 1.3 million adults England 2022
Directional25In Bedfordshire, sexual offences: 1,900 cases 2022/23
Single source26Rape charge rate: 1.7% of recorded rapes in England 2022/23
VerifiedSexual Offences Interpretation
England’s rising sexual offence statistics paint a grim picture where a shamefully low charge rate offers little more than a whisper of justice in a storm of devastating crimes.
Theft Offences
1In year ending March 2023, theft offences in England and Wales totalled 600,000, down 4% from previous year
Verified2Shoplifting offences surged to 430,000 in England and Wales 2022/23, up 37%
Verified3Theft from the person: 110,000 police-recorded in England 2023
Verified4In London, bicycle thefts: 15,000 in 2022/23
Directional5Other theft offences: 365,000 in England and Wales year ending March 2023
Single source6Phone thefts in England: 80,000 recorded 2022/23
Verified7In West Midlands, shoplifting: 25,000 offences 2022/23
Verified8CSEW personal theft victims: 1.1% of adults in England year ending Dec 2022
Verified9Theft of pedal cycles: 74,000 police-recorded England and Wales 2022/23
Directional10In Greater Manchester, theft offences: 38,000 in 2022/23
Single source11Purse dipping and pickpocketing: 20,000 offences England 2023
Verified12Retail crime thefts: estimated 2 million incidents England 2022
Verified13In South Yorkshire, 12,500 thefts 2022/23
Verified14Theft from vehicle: 130,000 offences England and Wales 2022/23
Directional15In North Wales (England impact), but England shop theft rate 5.2 per 1,000
Single source16Aggravated vehicle interference theft: 2,500 cases England 2023
Verified17In Humberside, theft crimes: 14,000 2022/23
Verified18Household theft CSEW: 1.2% prevalence England 2022
Verified19In Lincolnshire, 8,000 theft offences 2022/23
Directional20Jewellery theft: 5,000 high-value cases England 2023
Single source21In Staffordshire, shoplifting up 40% to 10,000 2022/23
Verified22Theft offences charge/summons rate: 5.2% England and Wales 2022/23
VerifiedTheft Offences Interpretation
While overall theft may have taken a slight step back, the shoplifting surge suggests a nation that's still very much open for business, just not always through the front door.
Violent Crime
1In the year ending March 2023, police in England and Wales recorded 1,000,737 violence against the person offences, a 4.2% increase from the previous year
Verified2Violence with injury offences in England reached 352,941 in year ending March 2023, up 5% from 336,089 the year before
Verified3In London, England, there were 178,456 assaults recorded by police in 2022/23, representing 18% of national total
Verified4Homicide offences in England and Wales totalled 594 in year ending March 2022, with 75% involving knives or sharp instruments
Directional5Public order offences rose to 649,000 in England and Wales for year ending March 2023, up 13%
Single source6In the West Midlands, violence without injury offences numbered 89,234 in 2022/23
Verified7Knife-enabled crimes in England and Wales: 49,489 offences in year ending September 2023
Verified8Assault with injury in England: 184,000 incidents per Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) year ending December 2022
Verified9In Greater Manchester, 45,678 violent crimes were recorded in 2022/23, a 7% rise
Directional10Stalking and harassment offences: 112,000 police-recorded in England and Wales year ending March 2023, up 37%
Single source11Robbery offences involving firearms in England: 1,200 in 2022
Verified12Domestic abuse-related violence: 920,000 incidents flagged in England and Wales 2022/23
Verified13In Yorkshire and Humber, 78,945 violence against person crimes in 2022/23
Verified14Grievous bodily harm with intent: 18,000 offences in England and Wales year ending March 2023
Directional15Youth violence (under 18 perpetrators) in England: 140,000 offences 2022
Single source16In South Yorkshire, violent crime rate was 48.2 per 1,000 population in 2022/23
Verified17Actual bodily harm offences: 290,000 in England and Wales year ending March 2023
Verified18Street-level violence in England cities averaged 25% of total violent crime per CSEW 2022
Verified19In Cleveland Police area, 32,100 violent crimes recorded 2022/23
Directional20Common assault offences: 450,000 police-recorded in England and Wales 2022/23
Single source21Gun crime in England and Wales: 6,122 offences year ending March 2023, up 5%
Verified22In Kent, violence with injury: 12,500 cases in 2022/23
Verified23Harassment offences excluding stalking: 68,000 in England 2023
Verified24In Avon and Somerset, 38,200 violent crimes 2022/23
Directional25Threatening behaviour public order: 200,000 offences England and Wales 2022/23
Single source26In Northumbria, violent crime incidents: 55,000 in year ending 2023
Verified27Wounding offences: 65,000 police-recorded in England 2022/23
Verified28Racial hate crime violence: 32,000 incidents England and Wales 2022/23
Verified29In Derbyshire, 22,500 assaults recorded 2022/23
Directional30Violence per 1,000 population in England: 20.5 for year ending March 2023
Single sourceViolent Crime Interpretation
The statistics paint a picture of a nation where the unsettling hum of public disorder is rising, the sharp and domestic threats are persistently grim, and your postcode still dictates the odds of encountering violence, all adding up to over a million personal violations in a single year.
Sources & References
- Reference 1GOVgov.ukVisit source
- Reference 2ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 3METmet.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 4WEST-MIDLANDSwest-midlands.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 5GMPgmp.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 6POLICEpolice.ukVisit source
- Reference 7SOUTHYORKSHIREsouthyorkshire.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 8CLEVELANDcleveland.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 9KENTkent.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 10AVONANDSOMERSETavonandsomerset.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 11NORTHUMBRIAnorthumbria.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 12DERBYSHIREderbyshire.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 13WESTYORKSHIREwestyorkshire.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 14SOUTH-WALESsouth-wales.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 15MERSEYSIDEmerseyside.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 16NSPCCnspcc.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 17NOTTINGHAMSHIREnottinghamshire.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 18IICOMiicom.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 19LANCASHIRElancashire.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 20CAMBScambs.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 21BEDSbeds.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 22CPScps.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 23BRITISHRETAILCONSORTIUMbritishretailconsortium.comVisit source
- Reference 24NORTHWALESnorthwales.police.ukVisit source
- Reference 25HUMBERSIDEhumberside.police.ukVisit source