Crime rates fall in Merseyside - Chief Constable reacts

Merseyside Police has welcomed the publication of statistics showing overall crime has fallen by 14.26% in Merseyside for the year ending March 2024 compared with the previous 12 months.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) released an annual report on Thursday 24 July showing crime statistics for all police forces across England and Wales, where crime had fallen by 3.5% on average.

In Merseyside, reports of a number of serious crimes have reduced, further building on reductions in previous years:

• Violence against the person offences reduced by 12.55%
• Robbery offences fell by 11.19%
• Cyber Crime decreased by 38.80%
• Sexual offences dropped by 12.13%
• Knife Crime decreased by 13.35% in Merseyside
• Burglary offences saw a 16.2% reduction, compared to the national average of 3.5%
• Robbery offences fell by 11.19%
• Vehicle Offences fell by 11.76%
• Drugs offences fell by 5.98%
• Gun crime reports fell by 10% and firearms discharges by 9.5%

Merseyside Police has welcomed the publication of statistics showing overall crime has fallen by 14.26% in Merseyside for the year ending March 2024 compared with the previous 12 months.

Responding to the statistics, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said:

“It gives me great pride and satisfaction to see in black and white that the hard work put in by officers and staff all year has reaped such rewards.

“These numbers represent thousands of people in Merseyside being spared the pain and suffering these crimes can bring. They show that we are going in the right direction, but we know that there is more work to be done.

“While gun crime reports and firearms discharges are down, and at their lowest point in 20 years, two families are grieving the tragic losses of Ellis Cox and Rikki Berry this year.

“The impact gun crime can have on communities cannot be overestimated, and that is why we carry out stop checks, warrants, land searches and arrests all year round.

“Our work to disrupt those who carry, store and use firearms never stops and, supported by partners, strategies for prevention and diversion such as EVOLVE Clear, Hold, Build are having a real impact on the ground.

“Offenders involved in the storing and use of weapons have received substantial prison sentences in the past 12 months, stopping their criminality and sparing our communities from further misery at their hands.”

Chief Constable Kennedy said:

“Officers at Merseyside Police are completely committed to putting the public first, preventing and detecting crime in Merseyside so people who live, work and visit here can feel safe.

“These reductions show the fruits of their efforts. But they are not a cause for celebration or complacency – for as long as we have people suffering at the hands of offenders in Merseyside, we will strive to keep pushing these numbers down further.

“Prevention is helping to change mindsets of those had been prepared to pick up a knife or firearm, or deal drugs, and education and other interventions are preventing crimes before enforcement is even necessary.

“We work closely with partners including the five local authorities, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, public health, education and third sector organisations to further reduce this type of behaviour in our communities in the longer term.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank officers and staff of Merseyside Police. Their commitment and dedication to the communities of Merseyside is clearly helping drive down crime on our streets.”