CRIME is on the rise according to official statistics released today.

Information collected from police forces across England and Wales has revealed a startling rise in knife, gun, and other violent crime.

Soaring levels of violence and theft, as well a rise in sex crimes, are behind a 10 per cent year-on-year rise over the 12-month period to March, the Office for National Statistics said.

This has been connected with a fall in officer numbers to the lowest in more than 30 years, sparking concern among both chiefs and the rank-and-file.

Home Office data released on Wednesday showed there were 123,142 officers across all ranks in England and Wales at the end of March this year, which the report said was thought to be the lowest number since 1985.

During the past year police recorded nearly five million offences in England and Wales, 458,021 more than the same period last year.

The ONS said the surge was partly driven by a rise in violence against the person, which soared 18 per cent to 175,060 offences.

In light of this information, do you still feel safe in your day-to-day life?

Let us know in our poll, found here:

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