Violence against the person offences have seen the largest increase in proportion, increasing from 21% in the year ending March 2013 to 34% of proven offences in the latest year.
During Spokesperson’s Questions to Labour’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Dr Altaf Hussain MS, expressed serious concerns over the effectiveness of the Youth Justice Blueprint for Wales, following alarming incidents of violent crime committed by young people and a broader rise in violent and serious crime across Wales.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Dr Altaf Hussain MS, said:
“We have seen an explosion of violent crime among teenagers, from the horrific knife attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman to stabbings in Mid Wales and attempted murder in Newport.
“This issue isn’t confined to youth offenders. Wales is bucking the national trend, with violent crime rising in areas like South Wales and Gwent. Disturbingly, South Wales Police is the only force to see a rise in sexual violence, and the conviction rates are dismally low.
“We need assurances from the Welsh Government that Police and Crime Commissioners have robust plans to tackle violent crime and sexual violence so families and communities in Wales can feel safe.”