During 1991, the police recorded about 5.3 million notifiable offenses, 16 percent more than in 1990, compared with an average annual increase of 6 percent between 1981 and 1991. Large increases were recorded in the number of offenses involving theft and burglary, but there was only a 3-percent increase for violent offenses against the person and a 1- percent increase for sex offenses. A total of 518,000 offenders were found guilty of or cautioned for indictable offenses in 1991, 2 percent more than in 1990. Over one in three offenders found guilty or formally cautioned on admitting their guilt for indictable offenses were cautioned. The courts' proportionate use of fines for those sentenced for indictable offenses decreased sharply from 38 to 40 percent in 1985-1990 to 35 percent in 1991. The proportion given immediate custody for indictable offenses rose to 15 percent in 1991, from 14 percent in 1990. The number of persons sentenced to immediate custody increased from 57,600 in 1990 to 61,200 in 1991. The average sentence length for immediate imprisonment imposed on males aged 21 years and over remained at 20.5 months for the third year in a row. In 1991, 553,000 offenders were found guilty of or cautioned for summary offenses (other than motoring offenses), compared with 570,000 in 1990. About 713,000 offenders were found guilty of summary motoring offenses. Detailed statistical data are provided on notifiable offenses recorded by the police, homicide, offenders cautioned or found guilty, court proceedings, sentencing, and the use of police bail and court remand. Appendixes contain supplemental statistics and a glossary. Tables and figures