BREAKING The number of knife crimes In England & Wales has risen to a new record high, says @ONS with 46,265 offences in 12 months to end of March this year, a 6% increase compared to the previous year.

The figures, which do not include @gmpolice were partially driven by a 7% rise in London. Also - a large rise in cases of murder/manslaughter, with 683 deaths. Total includes the 39 people found dead inside a lorry in Essex last October.

Excluding the Essex lorry deaths, homicides went up by 3%. Of all killings, 256 involved a knife or sharp object, up from 250 the year before.

For first time, Crime Survey captured gender identity of victims - those whose gender identity is different from that registered at birth were twice as likely (28%) to be a victim.

People of a mixed ethnic background were the most likely to have been a crime victim - 20%, with those of an Asian background also “significantly” more likely to have experienced crime, as well as those who identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual, 21%.

Crime Survey, based on interviews with almost 34,000 people, is good at estimating overall crime trends. It suggests a 9% fall in offending in 12 months to end of March which @ONS says is a “significant” reduction, partly driven by steep falls in theft & criminal damage.

Interesting.. @ons says “significant” drop in % of 16-59 yr old victims of sexual assault or attempted sex assault - after 6 years of increases. ONS says it’s been driven by big fall in indecent exposure & sexual touching offences. Police recorded sex offences may have plateaued.