More than 285,000 crimes were not recorded by police in the year to March 31, with 94.8% of crimes recorded nationally. Recording rates improved from 80.5% in 2014, but anti-social behaviour offences remain markedly under-recorded. Harassment, stalking and controlling or coercive behaviour disproportionately affect women and girls and constitute 37.9% of unrecorded violent crime. Recording of domestic-abuse-related offences and crimes affecting vulnerable people requires improvement. Only 78% of crimes are recorded within 24 hours on average; audits from 2021–2025 found five forces recorded under 40% within 24 hours and one force recorded only 2.6% promptly. Accurate, timely recording enables quicker case allocation, investigations and victim support.
More than 285,000 crimes went unrecorded by police last year, new research has found. Watchdog His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found 94.8 per cent of crimes were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the year to March 31, While this is up from up from 80.5 per cent in 2014, the number of anti-social behaviour offences being officially documented were unacceptably low, HMICFRS said.
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 per cent of unrecorded violent crime. It said they must also improve the recording of offences linked to domestic abuse, crimes classed as anti-social behaviour, and crimes affecting vulnerable people.
The watchdog found that only 78 per cent of crimes on average are recorded within 24 hours, and stressed that officers should record offences at the earliest opportunity. Sample cases audited between 2021 to 2025 showed that five forces recorded less than 40 per cent of crimes within 24 hours, while one only achieved 2.6 per cent and took more than a week to record most offences.
For the public to have trust and confidence in policing, they need to know that when they report a crime, the police will record it accurately and without delay. Correctly recording these crimes means forces can quickly allocate cases and begin investigations promptly. Importantly, it also helps to make sure victims receive a better service, and access the support they may desperately need.
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