UK crime down 21% due to coronavirus lockdown

Police reported a 21% drop in crime over the last four weeks compared to the same period last year.

Police forces have reported a 21% drop in crime over the last four weeks compared to the same period last year.

Chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council Martin Hewitt said that since the UK went into lockdown 1,084 fines have been issued by 37 forces in England and Wales for flouting restrictions.

Commenting that the figures amounted to less than 84 per day, he added:  ‘This shows that the overwhelming majority of people are abiding by the rules and are staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

‘In those few cases where police forces have made mistakes with those new regulations, they have quickly sought to correct them and provide clarity.’

He said police will publish enforcement data every fortnight during the crisis.

Mr Hewitt praised the work of specific officers who have looked after vulnerable people in their communities.

He added: ‘Fighting the virus, protecting the NHS and saving lives is a national effort and police have stepped up in their work alongside communities to support those hardest hit by the virus.

‘For example, two officers in London responded to a call where a 90-year-old woman had collapsed in her home. They gave first aid and recommended that she should go to hospital, but she was concerned because she didn’t think she’d get to the shop in time to get milk.

‘So the officers were able to get that milk for her and even helped her fix a broken light bulb when she got back.’

Mr Hewitt added that officers in Manchester had helped stock an elderly man’s fridge and ensure he had heating when they found him without food, heating or electricity.

Priti Patel earlier said that the virus was changing the nature of the threat the UK faces from crime.

She said that while total crime had dropped as people follow the advice to stay at home, criminals were adapting to exploit the pandemic.

The Home Secretary described how ‘fraudsters are exploiting coronavirus as a hook for new acquisitive crimes’ with losses to victims already nearing £2 million.

Child sex predators are similarly ‘seeking to exploit the fact that more and more young people and children are at home and online’.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline also reported a 120% increase in calls during one 24-hour period.

Ms Patel said: ‘For the victims of these crimes, home is not the safe haven that it should be and that is why I have been working with law enforcement, charities, schools, businesses and local councils to address this changing threat picture.

‘I want to emphasise that anybody who is a victim of these crimes can still get help. Anyone in immediate danger should call 999 and press 55 on a mobile if you are unable to talk.

‘Our outstanding police will still be there for you.’

Mr Hewitt echoed the Home Secretary’s message that police officers will continue to arrest and investigate cases of domestic abuse and controlling behaviour throughout the crisis.

He promised victims that ‘we will come when you call for help’, adding: ‘And to abusers – do not think this is a time where you can get away with this.

‘We will still arrest, we will still bring people into custody and we will still prosecute.’

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