The rate of alcohol consumption is rising however and will likely continue to play a role in Britain's crime problems. Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe said that the most recent Home Office figures showed crime was rising and that the latest survey reflected falls under the previous Tory government. The fact is, the previous survey showed that crime had fallen by an even greater amount. What has actually happened is the first rise in crime for six years. The Liberal Democrats meanwhile called for more police and a redoubling of efforts to reduce re-offending rates.
Crime is still too high.
The level of crime was 10 per cent lower in 1999 than in 1997 - the last time the survey was carried out. Overall the proportion of people falling victim to crime was its lowest since 1983. Burglary in 1999 was down 21 per cent on two years earlier and at its lowest level since 1991. The number of vehicles stolen was down by 11 per cent from the 1997 level. Violence was down by 4 per cent, including wounding which was down by 11 per cent.