Watchdog: 280,000-plus crimes not recorded

MORE than 280,000 crimes went unrecorded by police last year, with “unacceptably low” numbers of anti-social behaviour offences being officially documented.

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Watchdog His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services found 94.8% of crimes were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the year to March 31, up from 80.5% in 2014.

While it praised the increase, this still meant that more than 285,000 offences were not recorded.

The inspectorate said that forces should improve recording of crimes such as harassment, stalking and controlling or coercive behaviour, that disproportionately affect women and girls, and make up 37.9% of unrecorded violent crime.

It said they must also improve the recording of offences linked to domestic abuse, crimes classed as antisocial behaviour, and crimes affecting vulnerable people.