Recorded Crime Q4 2022

Table 4.1 provides further breakdown by offence type of the total number of recorded crime incidents in 2022 compared with the corresponding period a year earlier.

The number of Homicide offences was 69 in 2022 up by 30% or 16 from 2021. This was mainly driven by an increase of 21 (+91%) in recorded crime incidents of Murder over this period. See Table 4.1.

There was an increase of 3,388 or 17% in the number of crimes classified as Attempts/Threats to Murder, Assaults, Harassments & Related offences compared to the previous 12 months. The majority of this came from increases in incidents of Other Assault (+2,150 or +18%) and Assault Causing Harm, Poisoning (+1,120 or +23%). There was also an increase in the number of incidents categorised as Threats to Kill or Cause Serious Harm (+103 or +6%). In contrast, the number of incidents of Murder-attempt fell by 4 or 25% but the volumes here were quite small. See Table 4.1.

The number of recorded crime incidents of Dangerous or Negligent Acts has fallen slightly by 53 or 1% over the year. The increase of 560 or 11% in the number of incidents of Driving/In Charge of a Vehicle While Over Legal Alcohol Limit was largely matched by a fall of 556 or 22% in incidents of Driving/in charge or a Vehicle Under the Influence of Drugs.

Robbery, Extortion & Hijacking offences were up by 335 or 19% over the year and increases in Robbery from the Person and Blackmail or Extortion offences contributed to most of this increase. See Table 4.1.

The number of incidents of Burglary & Related offences increased by 864 or 10% over the year and most of this came from an increase in Burglary (not aggravated) offences. See Table 4.1.

Increases in incidents of Theft from Shop, Other Thefts & Handling Stolen Property offences accounted for most of the increase of 19,199 or 41% in incidents of Theft & Related offences in 2022. See Table 4.1.

Over the year, the number of incidents of Controlled Drug Offences fell by 2,702 or 13% over the year and reductions in incidents of Possession of Drugs for Personal Use and Possession of Drugs for Sale or Supply contributed to most of this decrease. See Table 4.1.

The number of incidents of Damage to Property and to the Environment offences were up by 2,345 or 12% over the year and an increase in incidences of Criminal Damage (not arson) accounted for nearly all of this increase. See Table 4.1.

There was an increase of 2,813 or 10% in the number of incidents of Public Order & Other Social Code offences over the year and this was driven mainly by an increase in the number of Disorderly Conduct offences. See Table 4.1.

Finally recorded incidents of Offences against Government, Justice Procedures & Organisation of Crime were up by 1,575 or 13% over the year. Increases in Offences While in Custody, Breach of Court Orders accounted for much of this increase. See Table 4.1.