Nearly 6,000 unsolved crimes a day last year

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

The Liberal Democrats accuse the Conservatives of “failing” to tackle crime as new Home Office statistics reveal that 40% of all crimes went unsolved last year, while only 6% resulted in a suspect being charged.

For the year ending September 2023, a grand total of 2.18 million offences were closed without a suspect being identified - accounting for 40% of all crimes. This is up 9% from the previous year.  It means that on average, a staggering 5,981 crimes went unsolved every single day last year. 

At the same time, only 319,440 offences resulted in a suspect being charged or summonsed - less than 6% of all offences. 

The Liberal Democrats have slammed the Conservative Government for these figures, arguing that years of ineffective resourcing has left frontline policing decimated.  The party is calling for a return to proper community policing, where officers are visible, trusted and focused on their local neighbourhoods. 

Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: 

“The Conservative Government has totally failed to get a handle on crime, and they have no one but themselves to blame. 

“For years, they have taken resources out of frontline policing at the expense of our communities. It’s no surprise that more and more criminals are getting away with it as victims are left without justice. 

“This farce needs to end. The Conservative Government must keep our streets safe and restore proper community policing, getting more bobbies out on the beat.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Crime outcomes data from: Home Office, Crime Outcomes in England and Wales, year to September 2023, Table 2(1).