In a year marked by both progress and persistent shortcomings, a new report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed that more than 280,000 crimes went unrecorded by police in England and Wales in the year leading up to March 31, 2025. While the findings highlight significant improvements in overall crime recording since 2014, they also expose troubling gaps—especially in the documentation of anti-social behaviour and violent offences that disproportionately impact women and vulnerable groups.
According to the HMICFRS report, 94.8% of crimes were recorded by police forces in England and Wales in the past year, a notable rise from just 80.5% in 2014. This improvement has been widely welcomed, with His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Roy Wilsher stating, “We have seen marked improvements in the way forces record crimes, and a greater awareness and understanding of its importance.” Wilsher also expressed satisfaction with the way police forces have begun to implement recommendations from previous inspections, reflecting a growing commitment to transparency and accountability.
However, the numbers tell a more nuanced story. Even with the improved recording rate, the 5% of crimes that slipped through the cracks amounts to a staggering 280,000-plus offences that went undocumented. The HMICFRS found that only 51.9% of crimes classified as anti-social behaviour targeting a specific individual or group were recorded between 2021 and 2025—an “unacceptably low” figure by any measure. The inspectorate’s report bluntly stated, “This level of crime recording is unacceptably low, and it means victims remain at risk of harm.”
The watchdog’s concerns did not stop at anti-social behaviour. Violent crimes, especially those involving harassment, stalking, and controlling or coercive behaviour, made up 37.9% of unrecorded violent crime. These offences disproportionately affect women and girls, adding another layer of urgency to the issue. The report emphasized that forces must do more to improve the recording of such crimes, as well as those linked to domestic abuse and incidents affecting vulnerable people.
“Violent crimes still aren’t being recorded well enough,” said Wilsher, echoing the report’s call for a more consistent approach across different police forces. The data revealed significant disparities: while the average rate of crime recording within 24 hours stood at 78%, five forces managed to record less than 40% of crimes within a day. One unnamed force lagged far behind, recording only 2.6% of offences within 24 hours and taking more than a week to document most cases.
Timely recording is not just a bureaucratic box-ticking exercise. As Wilsher put it, “For the public to have trust and confidence in policing, they need to know that when they report a crime, the police will record it accurately and without delay. Correctly recording these crimes means forces can quickly allocate cases and begin investigations promptly. Importantly, it also helps to make sure victims receive a better service, and access the support they may desperately need.”
The report also highlighted shortcomings in the way police handle unconfirmed reports of rape. Of the cases sampled between 2021 and 2025, the correct procedure was used in less than 70% of instances—a statistic that raises serious concerns about the treatment of victims and the integrity of investigations. Between 2023 and 2025, police did record 95.9% of sexual offences, with some forces achieving a perfect 100% rate in 2024. However, others lagged behind, with the lowest rate at 87% in 2023. This inconsistency underscores the need for a standardized approach to crime recording, particularly in sensitive cases.
Over-recording, though less common, was also identified as an issue. The inspectorate found that 2.3% of offences were unnecessarily documented, with some forces adopting a “just in case” approach. While this may seem like a minor administrative hiccup, it can distort crime statistics and potentially divert resources away from genuine cases.
Unrecorded crimes are not just a statistical anomaly—they represent real incidents reported by victims, which, when left undocumented, often result in no further action from law enforcement. The inspectorate’s guidelines are clear: an incident should be recorded as a crime if it meets a legal threshold and there is “no credible evidence” to suggest it did not occur. If an officer determines an allegation to be false, they must justify the decision and inform the victim. Yet, the audit suggests that this process is not always followed rigorously, leaving some victims in the dark and at risk.
The impact of under-recording is particularly acute for women and girls. Data from the Office for National Statistics in July showed that around one in eight women were victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse, or stalking in the last year. The UK’s spending watchdog, in a report published earlier this year, concluded that Home Office efforts to tackle violence against women and girls had “not improved outcomes.” These findings are mirrored by the HMICFRS report, which calls for urgent action to close the gaps in crime recording and ensure that all victims have access to justice and support.
Political leaders have taken note. Labour’s 2024 manifesto included a pledge to halve violence against women and girls within a decade—a goal that will be difficult to achieve without more reliable data and consistent police practices. The HMICFRS report serves as a stark reminder that while progress has been made, much work remains to be done.
Despite the challenges, there is reason for cautious optimism. The leap from 80.5% to 94.8% in recorded crimes over the past decade is a testament to the dedication of many within the police force and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms. Still, as Wilsher acknowledged, “There remains much difference between forces in how well they record crime.” Bridging these gaps will require not just better training and oversight, but also a cultural shift within policing—one that puts victims and their needs at the centre of every decision.
As the debate over policing standards continues, the HMICFRS report stands as both a progress report and a call to action. Ensuring that every crime is recorded promptly and accurately is more than a matter of statistics; it’s about public trust, victim safety, and the very foundation of justice in society.
