Incidents of violence on victims who were not known to their attacker were up by 29 per cent. More than half of the victims also said their attacker was under the influence of drink at the time.
Car thefts are also down significantly.
This continues the trend in falling crime, with the last survey reporting a 15 per cent drop between 1995 and 1997. The latest statistics show burglary is down 21 per cent to its lowest level for 18 years, car theft down by 11 per cent and theft from vehicles by 16 per cent. Incidents of violence on victims who were not known to their attacker were up by 29 per cent. More than half of the victims also said their attacker was under the influence of drink at the time. Home Secretary Jack Straw said these rises were a concern.