article_snippet: But Home Secretary Theresa May Home Secretary Theresa May has argued that since the Coalition’s austerity drive began in 2010, crime has tumbled – showing police forces have successfully continued to crack offending despite being ordered to make savings.
article_snippet: Experts say not only does neighbourhood policing help catch criminals, it also deters offending, makes the public feel safe and strengthens links between the police and communities.
article_snippet: ’s ability to keep people safe and lock up criminals.
article_snippet: According to the Crime Survey of England and Wales, based on people’s experiences of crime, overall crime had fallen 25 per cent since 2010-11 to 7.1million incidents, the lowest since 1981.
article_snippet: The total number of crimes reported to forces in England and Wales has fallen from 4.1million to 3.7million over the same period.
article_snippet: ‘Police reform is working and crime has fallen by more than a fifth since 2010.
article_snippet: Citizens and communities are safer than at any point since The ONS survey began.
article_snippet: Under this Government, police forces have shown that, with reform, it is possible to deliver more with less.
highlights_snippet: But Home Secretary Theresa May says crime has dropped despite austerity .