LONDON, UK – More than 90% of criminal damage and arson cases remained unsolved in the past year, according to new government data. The Home Office figures reveal that out of half a million reported cases, 62% did not progress to court due to the inability of law enforcement to identify a suspect.
Additionally, around 51,000 cases were dropped due to evidence-related issues, while 102,000 were closed because the victims no longer supported further action. In response to this concerning trend, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to address the spike in unsolved crimes by recruiting 13,000 new neighborhood officers and fast-tracking the hiring of 7,000 detectives.
Cooper emphasized the devastating impact of antisocial behavior, vandalism, and town center crime on local businesses and communities. She also outlined specific measures her party plans to implement, including the introduction of Respect Orders to address repeat offenders of antisocial behavior and the creation of a standalone offense for attacks on shop workers.
The Labour party has criticized the Ministry of Justice for “letting criminals off and letting victims down.” The party’s proposed solutions seek to make communities feel safe and welcoming again amidst a rise in criminal damage and arson cases. As the investigation and resolution of these crimes remain a pressing concern, the government’s response to these challenges will be closely monitored by the public.