Risk of becoming a victim of crime 'lowest since 1980s' - Crime, UK - The Independent
Crime rates are falling rapidly, with the number of offences recorded by the police dropping by 12 per cent in a year.
The continuing decline – which includes a 19 per cent decrease in car crime and a 21 per cent fall in robbery – means the risk of being a victim of crime is at its lowest since the early 1980s.
New figures showing historic falls in crime measured by the British Crime Survey (BCS) over the past year across England and Wales - equivalent to a million fewer crimes - were welcomed today by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
According to the annual publication "Crime in England and Wales 2007/08", produced by the Home Office under the new arrangements for statistics overseen by the new UK Statistical Authority, the risk of being a victim of crime has fallen from 24 to 22 per cent, the lowest level ever recorded since the BCS began in 1981.