Number of people caught with knives and guns in South Holland doubles, police recorded crime figures show

The number of people caught with guns and knives in South Holland has more than doubled, according to the latest police recorded crime statistics.

There were 55 weapons possession offences between July 2017 and June 2018, according to data by the Office for National Statistics. These can include hand guns, knives and even corrosive acid.

That figure is up 104 per cent on 2016-17, when 27 incidents were recorded.

The statistics are based on crimes reported to the police, and the ONS urges caution in interpreting some of these figures.

Some offences go unreported while others may be more numerous due to a change in the focus of the police or greater public attention.

However the ONS said that recorded crime figures are reliable for lower volume offences, such as possession of a knife or a gun.

The rise was reflected nationally. Across England and Wales there was a nine per cent increase in offences with knives or sharp objects, leading to the highest number of incidents since March 2011, when comparable records started.

Overall, police recorded crime in South Holland increased between July 2017 and June 2018.

Over the 12 month, period 4,432 crimes were recorded, up by 12 per cent on 2016-17.

That means there was a rate of 48 crimes per 1,000 residents during 2017-18, below the England and Wales average of 84.

There were 257 residential burglaries reported in South Holland. Due to a change in how the ONS categorises burglaries, the localised figure cannot be compared with other years.

There have been no homicides, which are murders or manslaughters.

Theft, one of the most high volume crimes, increased by two per cent. Drugs related offences rose by 25 per cent.

Commenting on the national figures, Chief Constable Bill Skelly said: "Rising crime is placing greater demand on policing.

"There are also more calls from the public for help, including responding to people in crisis when other agencies lack their own capacity."

Mr Skelly said the gap in numbers between reported crimes and criminals being charged is a "real concern for us".

"The upcoming spending review is a crucial opportunity for the Government and police leaders to come to a consensus about police demand, our capabilities to meet it and the funding required," he added.

Criminal damage in South Holland, which includes arson and vandalising cars and houses, has gone down, from 604 incidents in 2016-17, to 598 in the latest figures.

While violence with injury, which includes assault, GBH and wounding, has risen, this could just be due to improved police recording as opposed to an increase in incidents.

Similarly sexual crime statistics are hard to judge as many more victims are now coming forward due to a series of high profile cases.

In South Holland there were 152 incidents recorded between July 2017 and June 2018, a nine per cent rise on the previous year, when 139 crimes were reported.

There were also 147 cases of stalking and harassment reported over the same period.