Knife and gun crime have been under reported, police memo admits

Violent offences including gun crime and knife crime are far more common than official figures currently suggest, a leaked police memo discloses.






Last year there were 22,151 recorded knife crimes in England and Wales and 9,803 firearm offences.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "The issue is about the impact of these changes to recording processes, required of all forces in England and Wales, and not about a rise in actual crime.

"For example, a robbery where a knife has been intimated only was previously recorded as a robbery. However, under the changes it is now recorded as a knife crime, and the use of sharp or pointed instruments has also been included in the knife crime definition."

A Home Office spokesman: ``We have always included threats and attempts in gun and knife crime figures but in April 2008 we clarified the definition to include crimes where the victim believes a gun or knife might be used. There is an unprecedented clamp down on knife crime underway through the Tackling Knives Action Programme launched earlier this year and part of this is looking for ways to constantly improve our understanding about crime on our streets.''