Reports police chiefs are preparing for ‘tidal wave’ of crime and disorder are ‘inaccurate’, says NPCC
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) says reports it is preparing for a ‘tidal wave’ of violent crime and public disorder due to the cost of living crisis are “inaccurate”.
According to a report in The Sunday Times, police forces are “braced for a rise in crime, a breakdown in public order and even corruption in their ranks” as the public battles with soaring living costs.
It says a leaked national strategy paper, reportedly created with input from the NPCC, has revealed that police chiefs are “increasingly concerned that ‘economic turmoil and financial instability has potential to drive increases in particular crime types’, such as acquisitive offences”.
In addition to crimes rooted in financial vulnerability, some police forces are preparing for more children to be sucked into County Lines drug gangs and women falling victim to sexual exploitation, says The Sunday Times.
West Midlands assistant police and crime commissioner Tom McNeil said recently that he had “serious fears” the energy crisis could result in a spike in crime (see https://www.policeprofessional.com/news/serious-fears-over-spike-in-crime-due-to-soaring-energy-bills/).
However, in a statement issued on Sunday (September 4) the NPCC said: “Policing regularly engage with partners in discussions around causes and drivers for crime in general and their trends, such as burglaries and theft; and the cost of living crisis will be considered as part of its impact on these crimes.
“Reports in the national media suggesting the NPCC is preparing for a ‘tidal wave’ of violent crime and public disorder due to the cost of living crisis are inaccurate.
“Policing has a highly trained capability to respond to public order across the country and we regularly test and improve our ability to mobilise where needed. Should the need arise, we are able to respond proportionately and effectively to varied incidents.
“Our ongoing priority remains prevention, and we continually work with communities to gather intelligence around crime and disorder. As a result, policing is able to regularly intervene early to prevent incidents or their escalation due to this community intelligence to keep the public safe.”