A total of 5.1 million offenses were recorded by the police in the 12 months to June 1996, an increase of 0.4 percent from the previous 12 months. Ninety-three percent of crimes were against property; 6 percent were violent crimes. A total of 24 of the 43 police forces recorded fewer crimes in the 12 months to June 1996 than in the previous period. Overall, violent crime increased by 10 percent to 331,000 offenses, the largest increase for 8 years. Burglaries decreased by 16,500 or 1 percent to 1.2 million, the third consecutive 12-month decrease. Thefts decreased by 38,100 to 2.4 million, a 2-percent decrease. Within this category, vehicle crimes decreased by 10,100, or 1 percent, to 1.3 million. The report notes that the propensity of the public to report offenses to the police is related to various factors. These include actions of the insurance industry, which in some cases require offenses to be reported to the police before claims are considered. Extensive tables and figures