The ONS Crime Statistics for England and Wales have been published today (Thursday, 17 October) and show that there has been a slight increase in crime across South Yorkshire by 1%.

This increase is much lower than the national picture where crime has risen by 6% and in the Yorkshire and Humber by 7%.

South Yorkshire has seen decreases in criminal damage and arson (9%), sexual offences (6%) and theft (6%).  Some increases in crime include drug offences (32%), possession of weapons (28%) and stalking and harassment (24%).

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: “The message from the figures shows that by raising the awareness of how to report certain crimes such as stalking and harassment, more crimes are being reported.

“In South Yorkshire we have received funding from the Home Office to increase police activity to directly disturb organised crime, increase stop and search and stop violence.

“The figures today reflect what we have said all along – with additional police activity, there is an increase in the number of crimes recorded.  This is not bad news for the communities in South Yorkshire as we start to see those involved in organised crime, disrupted and taken off the streets.

“We know that over the past nine years – the years of austerity – criminals have taken advantage of falling police numbers. The government has finally recognised the folly of those cuts and is seeking to increase police numbers.

“We have also set up the South Yorkshire Violence Reduction Unit, which brings together the four local authorities, South Yorkshire Police, Public Health England, South Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups, Youth Offending Teams, Education sector representatives and the Faith, Voluntary and Community sectors to tackle the root causes of violence.

“I expect to see all of this to bear fruit in future years.”