Nearly a quarter of criminals in the East Riding reoffend within a year – Ministry of Justice figures

Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that 1,064 adults were released from prison, cautioned or handed a non-custodial conviction at court between July 2019 and June 2020 in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Of them, 239 (22.5%) committed at least one further crime within 12 months.

A year previously, 24.7% of 1,265 convicted criminals reoffended.

Between them, the 239 reoffenders racked up 906 new offences – an average of 3.8 each.

Across England and Wales, 25.8% of criminals reoffended within a year – down slightly from 27.4% the year before.

However, the MoJ warned that some prolific criminals might appear multiple times in the figures for one year if they repeatedly reoffend, which could lead to an increase in reoffending rates.

It added there might be more volatility in the data because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the criminal justice system.

Around one in five fraud offenders reoffended within a year of their release or conviction in the year to June 2020 – compared to just 13.9% in the year to June 2010, when these figures began.

This rise was the second biggest of all types of crime, behind violent offences.

In the East Riding, one out of 21 fraud offenders broke the law again.

Cifas, a not-for-profit fraud prevention membership organisation, said fraud can have a “devastating impact on victims”.

Amber Burridge, head of fraud intelligence for Cifas, said: “The findings from a Victims’ Commissioner report in October 2021 shows that 1 in 5 fraud victims are highly vulnerable having lost money or property and experienced severe or multiple emotional reactions such as anxiety or depression.

“Often people feel ashamed and embarrassed about being a victim to fraud and may be susceptible to further scams that claim to help you get your money back as they try to deal with it alone.

“This is not something you have to struggle with on your own.”

She added that any victims of financial fraud should report it and let their bank know immediately.

People released from prison, cautioned or handed a non-custodial conviction for theft offences had the highest rates of reoffending nationally – 47.9%.

At 49.4%, reoffending rates in the East Riding were also highest for theft offences.

A Government spokeswoman said: “Reducing reoffending is one of our top priorities which is why an extra £550 million will be invested over the next three years to rehabilitate offenders and protect the public.

“We’re also spending £400m to tackle economic crime and developing a new strategy to clampdown on the devastating impact fraud can have on victims.”