The number of arrests in England and Wales has halved in the past decade despite a recent rise in crime, statistics today have revealed.

The total number number of arrests has fallen from 1.5 million in the year ending March 2008 to 779,660 in the year ending March 2017.

Arrests have fallen by 12% in the past year alone.

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Ed Davey commented:

“There are many factors behind this fall in arrests, including the increase in fixed penalty notices and summons.

“But there is no doubt that our police are increasingly overstretched and under-resourced.

“Officers facing a large backlog of work will be more reluctant to tie themselves up with another arrest.

“Unnecessary arrests should be avoided, but there is a real danger that criminals who should be going before the courts are being let off with a warning.“