London Plagued By Rising Crime

Alcohol has been the main reason why crime in Britain has risen 16 percent over the last year, according to statistics released on Tuesday and the country's top law enforcement official.

Statistics showed general crime rose 3.8 percent over the same period to March 2000. Robberies jumped by 26.1 percent while crimes endangering victims' lives went up 12.6 percent.

Home Secretary Jack Straw said alcohol was a contributory factor in 40 percent of violent crime, 78 percent of assaults and 88 percent of criminal damage.

"There is more money around, there is no doubt about that," Straw said. "I think that the fact that more young people seem to be going out drinking is reflected in the figures."

While opinion polls showed that the government has been blamed for not doing enough to tackle crime, the opposition Conservatives seized upon Tuesday's figures.

"Today's figures show that crime is spiraling out of control with an appalling 190,000 more victims last year than in the previous 12 months," said Ann Widdecombe, Straw's counterpart in the Conservative Party. "Things are getting worse, not better, under (Prime Minister) Tony Blair."

The widespread use of cellular phones also contributed to the surge in robberies, with criminal gangs targeting owners, Straw said.

Outside London, the northwest city of Manchester recorded the highest number of robberies and fared badly on violent and sexual crimes and burglary.

The city of Hull, in eastern England, had the worst burglary record, with 59.4 break-ins for every 1,000 residents.

Government officials note that the average Briton is still less likely to become a victim of violent crime than their counterparts in other nations, such as the United States.

Shootings still often make the national news. Britain has some of the strictest gun laws in the world.