An Office for National Statistics Report details the increase in recorded robbery offences in metropolitan areas of both England and Wales as of June 2018.
The 22% increase in offences puts the figure for all types of robberies up to 79,117 recorded cases. Although there is not a significant change in specific types of theft, the reports findings give reason to believe there is a genuine increase in vehicle theft, burglary and robbery.
Overall, the 22% increase is thought to have been focused predominantly in London and other larger cities.
Since 1995, the trend has shown a long term decrease in types of theft with an overall drop in offences, however more recent findings show an increase in the past year.
Recorded vehicular theft offences have increased 7%, and although the increase is not substantial, it has caused genuine concern. While many cases of theft remain unreported, vehicular theft is relatively well reported by the public and documented by the police.
Another cause for concern are recent rises in burglary and robbery cases. Domestic burglary statistics have shown no change in the past year but a genuine rise in these cases has been estimated as it is less prone to improvements being recorded than any other type of crime.
Recording improvements are also likely to have contributed to a rise in robbery offences. Low volume crimes are not generally given short term trends by the CSEW. The statistically insignificant estimated increases however, do suggest the rise in recorded cases are genuine.