Most violent or sexual offences went unsolved in UK crime hotspots last year

Birmingham: It’s pretty alarming to hear that so many violent and sexual crimes in the UK just aren’t getting solved. A recent report shows that nearly 1.9 million of these cases were closed without any suspects being caught last year. That’s about 89% of all reported offences!

In areas with the highest crime rates, fewer than one in ten cases were resolved. It’s no wonder that many victims are losing faith in the system and choosing not to pursue justice. Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding, called it completely unacceptable. She emphasized that this is a national emergency, especially for women and girls.

The numbers are stark. In places like the West Midlands, only 6.9% of violent or sexual crimes were solved. Compare that to Lancashire, where the rate is nearly triple at 19.2%. It’s a real mixed bag across the country, and it’s clear that some areas are struggling more than others.

The police chiefs are aware of the issue and are calling for a major overhaul of how policing is done. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is also stepping in, promising to end the “postcode lottery” of policing. A new task force is on the way to help coordinate efforts, especially in forensics and tech.

Victims’ commissioner Helen Newlove pointed out that many people are now hesitant to report serious crimes because they feel investigations often lead nowhere. She stressed that victims need to feel heard and supported, and it’s up to the police to regain their trust.

The situation is tough, especially for rape cases, where a staggering 60% of investigations are closed because the victim withdraws support. It’s a long and frustrating process, with average investigations taking over a year to resolve.

While there was a slight increase in the solve rate last year, it’s still way below pre-pandemic levels. In some neighborhoods, there were even cases where not a single crime was solved in a year.

The NPCC acknowledges the need for change and is working hard to improve how they handle these serious offences. They’re committed to listening to victims and making sure that more perpetrators are brought to justice. It’s a tough road ahead, but hopefully, things will start to turn around soon.