Fewer than one in 20 street robberies and burglaries are being solved by police, new figures reveal
Four per cent of robberies and three per cent of burglaries solved in 2017 Figures show Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire has lowest rate of solved crime Meanwhile the most crimes, 26 per cent, were solved in Uttlesford in Essex Only nine per cent of suspects in all crimes are being caught and punished
Less than one in 20 street robberies and burglaries are being solved in the UK, shocking new figures have revealed.
Official police data shows that just four per cent of robberies and three per cent of burglaries were solved in England and Wales in 2017.
The figures will fuel concerns that there is a crisis in the nation's policing, with one MP describing London as 'the Wild West'.
Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire had the lowest rate of solved crime in 2017, while the most crimes were solved in Uttlesford in Essex +7 Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire had the lowest rate of solved crime in 2017, while the most crimes were solved in Uttlesford in Essex
In more than 1,000 neighbourhoods with at least 30 crimes, the police failed to catch and punish any of the suspects, The Sunday Times report.
Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire, south Buckinghamshire, south Cambridgeshire, Blackpool and Preston had the lowest rates of solved crime, according to figures.
Meanwhile the most crimes, 26 per cent, were solved in Uttlesford in Essex last year, followed by Boston, Merthyr Tydfil, Darlington and County Durham.
The number of police officers in England and Wales is at its lowest level since the late 1980s, with a significant drop between 2010 and 2017 +7 The number of police officers in England and Wales is at its lowest level since the late 1980s, with a significant drop between 2010 and 2017
The figures also reveal that only nine per cent of suspects in all crimes are caught and punished - a reduction of more than 50 per cent in the past five years.
The worrying statistics will add to concerns about the surge of violent crime in the UK, particularly in London.
Scores of violent attacks and muggings have been reported in the capital, with many incidents involving mopeds and knives.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid reveals moped muggers robbed his...
Home Secretary Sajid Javid was among those targeted. He revealed his phone was swiped outside Euston Station when he was communities secretary.
This month comedian Michael McIntyre was mugged for his £15,000 Rolex watch by armed thugs while doing the school run in north London.
And BBC radio presenter Eddie Mair was attacked by hooded youths on bikes as he boarded a bus in the capital last December.
Two moped thugs seconds before they stabbed a charity worker to death in Little Venice. The pair attacked nine members of the public in two hours on October 16 last year +7 Two moped thugs seconds before they stabbed a charity worker to death in Little Venice. The pair attacked nine members of the public in two hours on October 16 last year
Terrifying dashcam footage on the London's North Circular Road in Finchley shows a moped mugger seconds before he jumps on a motorist's bonnet in a vicious watch robbery +7 Terrifying dashcam footage on the London's North Circular Road in Finchley shows a moped mugger seconds before he jumps on a motorist's bonnet in a vicious watch robbery
Video playing bottom right... Police data shows that the percentage of all crimes solved by police has plummeted from 19 per cent in 2013 to just nine per cent in 2017.
Perpetrators in violent and sexual offences were brought to justice only in eight per cent of cases last year - a mere third of those in 2013.
The percentage of all crimes solved by police has plummeted Perpetrators in violent and sexual offences were brought to justice only in eight per cent of cases last year The percentage of all crimes solved by police has plummeted (left) and perpetrators in violent and sexual offences were brought to justice only in eight per cent of cases last year (right)
Solved burglary cases halved from six per cent in 2013 to three per cent in 2017 Robbery cases solved by police fell from nine per cent to four per cent between 2013 and 2017 Solved burglary cases halved from six per cent in 2013 to three per cent in 2017 (left) and robbery cases from nine per cent to four per cent in the same period (right)
Meanwhile, solved burglary cases halved from six per cent in 2013 to three per cent in 2017, and robbery cases from nine per cent to four per cent in the same period.
There were 159 robberies in Holloway Road and Highgate Hill last year, making them the streets most plagued by moped gang crime.
However, just one offender was caught and punished.
UK crime went up 13% in 2017 with sex offences, knife and gun crime among the biggest risers +7 UK crime went up 13% in 2017 with sex offences, knife and gun crime among the biggest risers
London's knife crime epidemic has also spread to the Home Counties.
Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Norfolk and north Wales' rates of knife crime have all increased by more than 100 per cent in the past three years.
According to police forces with some of the best detection rates, having officers on patrol plays a crucial role in solving crime.
But the number of officers in England and Wales is at its lowest level since the late 1980s.
There were 23,552 fewer officers in 2017 than there were in 2010.
Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Norfolk and north Wales' rates of knife crime have all increased by more than 100 per cent in the past three years +7 Hertfordshire, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Norfolk and north Wales' rates of knife crime have all increased by more than 100 per cent in the past three years
Some of the scores of terrifying blades recovered by officers in London in the past year Some of the scores of terrifying blades recovered by officers in London in the past year
The Met police told The Sunday Times: 'Solving crime is a key priority for the Met.
'Burglary presents particular challenges and we accept there is more work to be done — and are always seeking ways to increase the number of crimes we solve.'
It said it was also putting a 'huge amount of effort' into tackling moped- related crime.
How London's never-ending toll of moped thefts, robberies and attacks keeps rising The spotlight was thrown on moped crime following a spate of acid attacks and robberies last year, including one attempt to steal the phone of former Chancellor George Osborne.
The apparent impunity with which gangs stole mobile phones, wallets and watches from victims led to police vowing a crackdown on the crimes.
But a steady stream of shocking offences has continued into this year, with every region of the capital being affected by the crime plague.
The map below shows just some of the attacks reported so far in 2018.
+7 1. January 10 - Moped thieves carrying knives rob a Tesco Express in Belsize Road, Swiss Cottage before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash.
2. January 24 - Two moped riding thieves spend an entire day robbing people in Cambridge Heath Road and Mile End Road, Tower Hamlets.
3. January 29 - Members of the public, including an 80-year-old grandmother, intervene when would-be robbers attempt to steal the moped of a man in Crouch End.
4. February 4 - Man is stabbed after he fought back against moped robbers in Oxford Street.
5. March 7 - Investment banker tackled moped thief to the ground after hearing him breaking into his car outside his apartment in Beaufort Street, Chelsea.
6. March 18 - Moped gang armed with sledgehammers and knives attack watch shop in Regent Street.
7. March 21 - Simon Jordan, the chairman of Crystal Palace Football Club, is robbed of his £100,000 watch by moped thieves in Sumner Road, Croydon.
8. March 22 - Gang armed with angle grinder attempt to steal £100,000 BBC cameras set up on Putney Bridge and Barnes Bridge to record the University Boat Race.
9. April 5 - Delivery driver is dragged from his moped and stabbed during a brutal attack in Ronnie Lane, Manor Park. Group of teenagers make off with his bike.
10. April 7 - Moped gang armed with metal bars break into shop on Oxford Street before stealing luxury watches.
11. April 19 - Two men on a motorbike armed with a machete confront 17-year- old on Marlborough Road, Sutton and steal his moped.
12. May 2 - Five masked youths demanded mobile phones and money from boys in Albert Road Recreation Ground, Muswell Hill.
13. May 10 - Masked youths on three mopeds drove at parents on the school- run in The Avenue, Muswell Hill in attempt to rob them.
14. May 11 - Courier is forced to fight off two would-be motorbike thieves after they attacked him in a side street in Shepherd's Bush.
15. June 4 - Comedian Michael McIntyre is robbed of his watch as he sits in his car in Golders Green.
16. June 5 - Members of the public intervene to tackle gang of robbers raiding a watch shop on Regent Street.
Poster Comment:
Lots of charts at source.