New statistics show a rise in violent crime across North Yorkshire

Violent crime has risen in North Yorkshire over the last year, despite an overall drop in recorded offences.
North Yorkshire recorded 12,002 incidents of violent crime in the 12 months to September, according to the ONS statistics. Photo: PA ImagesNorth Yorkshire recorded 12,002 incidents of violent crime in the 12 months to September, according to the ONS statistics. Photo: PA Images
North Yorkshire recorded 12,002 incidents of violent crime in the 12 months to September, according to the ONS statistics. Photo: PA Images

North Yorkshire Police recorded 12,002 incidents of violent crime across the region in the 12 months to September, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

That was an increase of 4% compared to the previous year.

At 19.4 crimes per 1,000 people, that was still far lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 30.1.

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One of the main factors behind the increase in North Yorkshire was the rise in stalking and harassment, which rose by 16%, from 2,642 incidents to 3,067.

Offences of violence without injury were recorded 4,582 times, an increase of 2% on the previous year, and violence with injury on 4,324 occasions, down by 1%.

There were four homicides, which include murders and manslaughters, up by three on the previous 12 months.

The total number of offences in North Yorkshire fell by 8%, with police recording 30,548 crimes over the course of the year.

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This puts the overall crime rate at 49.4 per 1,000 people, compared to a national average of 83.5.

Other crimes recorded in North Yorkshire included:

○ 1,201 sexual offences, a decrease of 16%

○ 8,806 theft offences, down 24%

○ 3,907 incidents of criminal damage and arson, down 11%

○ 1,266 drug offences, up 14%

○ 283 possession of weapons such as firearms or knives, up 26%

○ 2,204 public order offences, up 13%

Overall, police recorded 6% fewer crimes across England and Wales – there were around 5.7 million offences in the year to September.

The ONS said an annual 3% drop in recorded knife crime across England and Wales was largely down to a 22% decrease in April to June.

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However, this was followed by a sharp increase in the three months to September.

Children’s charity Barnardo’s warned that offences could “erupt” once the latest lockdown is eased.

Chief executive Javed Khan said: “Children and young people have spent months out of school and away from their support networks, leaving many vulnerable to exploitation and control by criminal gangs who have seized on the disruption.”