In 2023/24 there were approximately 81,019 robbery offences reported by the police in England and Wales, compared with 75,012 in the previous year. During the provided time period, the reporting year with the highest number of robberies was 2002/03, when there were 110,271. From 2002/03 onwards, robberies in England and Wales generally declined, and reached a low of just 50,154 offences in 2014/15. Robberies increased from this year onwards, however, with 2019/20 seeing the highest number of offences since 2006/07. What types of crime are increasing? Unfortunately, the rise in robbery offences seen recently has not occurred in isolation. Overall crime in England and Wales also fell for several years prior to 2014/15 before suddenly climbing upwards and reaching over 6.74 million offences in 2022/23. Violent crime and sexual offences have both increased substantially, and while overall theft has declined, shoplifting offences reached a peak of almost 444,000 in 2023/24. This crime spike has led to a focus on the police, and if they have enough manpower and resources to reverse this trend. After the number of UK police officers was cut by around 20,000 between 2010 and 2016, the number of officers in 2023 was the most since 2010. At the same time, spending on police services was cut noticeably for the period between 2013/14 and 2016/17, with these cuts also being reversed from 2017/18 onwards. Robbery and UK justice system Robbery is considered one of the most serious criminal offences in defined as both a violent crime and a property crime. The offence carries one of the longest average prisons sentences in England and Wales, at 47.7 months, or almost four years. Serious crimes such as this would typically be tried in Crown Courts, yet as of the first quarter of 2023, there is a significant backlog of cases awaiting trial. This has led to an increasingly delayed justice system, with the average time an offence reached a conclusion in crown courts reaching 676 days in 2023, or almost two years. At the back end of the justice system, prisons are struggling with capacity issues and have been operating with very little spare capacity for several months as of 2024.

There were 34,465 robbery offences recorded by the police in London in 2023/24, compared with 24,958 in the previous reporting year, the peak for robbery offences in London during the provided time period.

Knives or other sharp objects were involved in 46 percent of homicides in England and Wales in 2023/24, the most of any method of killing. Homicides which involved hitting or kicking without a weapon made up 17.4 percent of homicides, while shootings were identified as the method in 3.9 percent of homicides. Overall, there were 570 homicides in this reporting year, which was slightly lower than in the previous year, when there were 585, but noticeably higher than in 2014/15, when there were 504. Firearm homicides rare in England and Wales In 2023/24, there were 262 knife homicides in England and Wales, compared with 282 in 2021/22, which was the highest figure recently. By comparison, homicides which involved the use of a firearm were far less common, with just 22 in the 2023/24 reporting year. Due to strict gun laws and low levels of ownership, the UK contrasts starkly with the United States, which has struggled with high levels of gun violence. Although some specialist police officers in England and Wales are licensed to carry firearms, the majority of police officers are unarmed. In 2023/24, for example, there were just 5,861 armed police, out of around 147,746 police officers. Overall knife crime on the rise Like many other types of crime, knife crime offences in the 2010s started to decline at the start of the decade before creeping up again from 2014 onwards, reaching almost 52,000 in 2019/20. In London, where much of the media’s attention on knife crime is focused, there were 15,928 knife crime offences alone in 2019/20. Although this fell during subsequent reporting years, which were influenced by COVID-19 restrictions, it remains to be seen if the trend will continue. In 2023/24, the number of knife offences in the capital was higher than in any other year since 2019/20.

There were 1,248 firearm offences recorded in London 2023/24, compared with 1,085 in 2022/23. Compared with previous years, there were far fewer offences in 2020/21 and 2021/22, which may have been due to the lockdowns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also reflected in London's overall crime rate, which fell from 102.4 crimes per 1,000 people in 2019/20, to 83.3 in 2020/21, before increasing to 92.8 in 2021/22, and 105.8 in the most recent reporting year. Firearm homicides rare in the UK The United Kingdom has some of the strictest gun laws in the world, resulting in relatively low levels of gun crime and firearm homicides. In 2022/23 just 4.9 percent of homicides in England and Wales were the result of shootings, compared with 85.7 percent in the United States in 2021. The most common method of killing for homicides in England and Wales was by far the use of a sharp instrument at 41.4 percent of homicides in the 2022/23 reporting year. London police budget rising In 2023/24 the budget for policing in London reached 4.53 billion British pounds, compared with 4.44 billion pounds in the previous financial year. This is the sixth-consecutive year of London's police budget increasing, compared with the period between 2013/14 and 2018/19, when it remained around 3.3 billion pounds, and was actually smaller than in 2012/13 when the budget was 3.62 billion. These budget increases have occurred alongside a recruitment drive for police officers. In 2023, there were 35,900 police officers in London, compared with just 31,087 in 2018.

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Maritime Security Market Size 2024-2028

The maritime security market size is forecast to increase by USD 3.63 billion at a CAGR of 3.2% between 2023 and 2028.

The market is experiencing significant growth due to escalating marine threats, including piracy, smuggling, and terrorism. These risks have led to increased demand for advanced security solutions to protect vessels, ports, and offshore installations. Another key driver is the expansion of international trade and the subsequent growth in the number of new harbors, necessitating strong security measures. However, the high installation cost of maritime security systems, which can include expensive technologies such as surveillance systems, underwater sensors, and armed security personnel, presents a challenge to market growth.
Companies seeking to capitalize on this market opportunity must focus on cost-effective solutions, innovative technologies, and strategic partnerships to navigate these challenges and meet the evolving security needs of their clients. Additionally, staying abreast of emerging trends, such as the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into security systems, will be crucial for long-term success in the market.

What will be the Size of the Maritime Security Market during the forecast period?

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The market encompasses a range of solutions designed to safeguard seafaring assets, infrastructure, and global trade. Key market drivers include the increasing volume of maritime trade and transportation, with an estimated 90% of the world's goods transported via sea. Threats such as pirate attacks, illegal immigration, smuggling, illegal fishing, and other unauthorized activities continue to pose significant risks to coastal communities and international commerce. To mitigate these risks, maritime security solutions incorporate advanced technologies like custom electronics, multisensor cameras, and surveillance towers. These systems enable proactive procedures, such as real-time monitoring, inspection, and screening, to maintain situational awareness and prevent potential security breaches.
Drone surveillance and coastline security are also essential components, providing comprehensive coverage and early detection capabilities. The market's size is substantial, with continuous growth fueled by the increasing importance of global freight and transportation, as well as the need for strong port infrastructure and security. As the maritime industry evolves, so too will the demand for innovative security solutions that address the diverse range of potential threats and risks.

How is the Maritime Security Industry segmented?

The industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

Type

  Deepwater security
  Perimeter security


Technology

  Surveillance and tracking
  Screening and scanning
  Communications
  Other systems


Geography

  North America

    US


  Europe

    Germany
    UK


  APAC

    China
    Japan


  Middle East and Africa



  South America

By Type Insights

The deepwater security segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The market is experiencing significant growth due to the vast expanse of oceans and seas, which cover over 70% of the Earth's surface and serve as strategic territories for many nations. Defense authorities prioritize enhancing their mid-sea attack and maritime border defense capabilities by investing in advanced maritime security systems. The escalating territorial disputes in the South China Sea, particularly between China and neighboring countries such as Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and Singapore, have heightened safety concerns. In response, countries in the Asia Pacific region have increased their naval presence in the area, leading to an anticipated rise in demand for maritime security solutions.

These systems encompass a range of technologies, including warships, maritime trade surveillance, seaport security, port infrastructure protection, illegal immigration and smuggling prevention, global freight transportation security, and vessel security. Additionally, coastal surveillance, cybersecurity systems, and situational awareness technologies are crucial components of maritime security, addressing potential threats from pirate attacks, terrorism, illegal trafficking, illegal fishing, unauthorized activities, security breaches, armed robbery, transnational crime, geopolitical tensions, and cybersecurity risks. The market is expected to grow steadily, driven by the need for enhanced security along coastlines and the increasing importance of maintaining resource limitations and coastal infrastructure.

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