§ Mr. Hefferasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the number of indictable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales in 1978.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIn 1978 the number of indictable offences recorded by the police in England and Wales was 2,561,500–3 per cent. fewer than in 1977. This was the first year-on-year fall since 1973. More detailed statistics by offence group and statistics on the number of indictable offences cleared up are published today in the first of a new series of Home Office statistical bulletins. Copies of all issues of this bulletin will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.