Austerity crime on the rise?

Police sources are claiming that crimes such as shoplifting and property thefts may be on the rise, The Times reports.

Unoffficial police data, released in advance of a Whitehall summit being chaired by the Chief Inspector of Police Tom Winsor, apparently show a rise in the reporting of some offence types.

However, Chief Constable of Lancashire Police, Steve Finnigan said the figures should be treated with caution as they do not cover a full year and are unofficial data.

For more on crime trends and recessions check out commentary from earlier this year from the Centre's director, Richard Garside:

• Property crime, violence and recessions. 
• Recession, suicide and violence.