Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Has the criminal justice system finally hit rock bottom?

Analysis: Knife crime reached a record high in 2019 as prosecutions hit a record low – but coronavirus could be a turning point, Lizzie Dearden writes

Thursday 23 April 2020 19:42 BST
The justice system has been at the sharp end of austerity since 2010
The justice system has been at the sharp end of austerity since 2010

If you are raped in England or Wales and report it to the police, there is little over a one in 70 chance that the attacker will be prosecuted.

If you become a victim of theft, the figure is one in 20, and one in 14 if you are robbed or physically attacked.

Overall, just 7.1 per cent of recorded crimes resulted in a charge or summons in 2019 – a record low.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in