Recorded crime in England and Wales at 20-year high as charge rate hits new low

Police say several types of offence at 20-year high, as Home Office data shows 5.6% of reports led to charge or summons last year

Recorded crime in England and Wales hit a 20-year high as the proportion of offences leading to court action fell to a new low, the latest official figures show.

Just 5.6% of offences reported to police led to a suspect being charged or summonsed in 2021-22, down from 7.1% the previous year and from 16% in 2014-2015, Home Office figures reveal.