According to a survey conducted in 28 countries in 2022, trust in the police is the highest in ***************************************. In 2022, some 58 percent of respondents in Denmark and the Netherlands defined the police as trustworthy, while the share of respondents stating the same in Sweden was ** percent. On the contrary, trust in the police was the lowest in Mexico and South Africa.

London's Metropolitan Police is by far the largest police force in the United Kingdom with 34,315 officers in 2024. At 16,356 officers, the Scottish police force has the second-largest force in terms of officer numbers, followed by Greater Manchester police force, which had 8,141 officers that year. Although the Metropolitan Police are responsible for policing most of Greater London, the City of London Police force covers the historic center of London, which is around one square mile in size, and numbered 995 officers in 2024. Crime in the UK In 2023/24 there were approximately 6.66 million crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales, compared with 6.74 million in 2022/23, which was the highest number of crimes recorded in a reporting year since 2002/03. Although crime declined from the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s, there has been a noticeable increase in crimes from 2014/15 onwards. In terms of the crime rate, England and Wales had the highest in the United Kingdom, at 89.7 offences per one thousand people, compared with 55 in Scotland, and 52.3 in Northern Ireland. Cuts to policing reversed in recent years Between 2010 and 2017, the number of police officers in the UK fell from 172,000 officers to just 150,000. During this same period, the London Metropolitan Police saw officer numbers decline by around 2,000 officers. The fall in police personnel was a result of UK-wide funding cuts, during this time period, with police expenditure falling from 19.3 billion in 2009/10 to 16.35 billion by 2013/14. This policy has since been reversed, with the last UK government recruiting officers and generally spending more on the police service. As of 2024, there were 170,500 police officers in the UK, and government expenditure on the police service was 27.3 billion British pounds.

In 2023, murder and manslaughter charges had the highest crime clearance rate in the United States, with 57.8 percent of all cases being cleared by arrest or so-called exceptional means. Motor vehicle theft cases had the lowest crime clearance rate, at 8.2 percent. What is crime clearance? Within the U.S. criminal justice system, criminal cases can be cleared (or closed) one of two ways. The first is through arrest, which means that at least one person has either been arrested, charged with an offense, or turned over to the court for prosecution. The second way a case can be closed is through what is called exceptional means, where law enforcement must have either identified the offender, gathered enough evidence to arrest, charge, and prosecute someone, identified the offender’s exact location, or come up against a circumstance outside the control of law enforcement that keeps them from arresting and prosecuting the offender. Crime in the United States Despite what many people may believe, crime in the United States has been on the decline. Particularly in regard to violent crime, the violent crime rate has almost halved since 1990, meaning that the U.S. is safer than it was almost 30 years ago. However, due to the FBI's recent transition to a new crime reporting system in which law enforcement agencies voluntarily report crime data, it is possible that figures do not accurately reflect the total amount of crime in the country.

With a crime rate of 122.1 per 1,000 population, Cleveland, in North East England, had the highest crime rate of all the police force areas in England and Wales in 2024/25. High crime rates are evident in other areas of northern England, such as West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester at 114.5 and 108.2, respectively. In the English capital, London, the crime rate was 105.5 per 1,000 people. The lowest crime rate in England was in the relatively rural areas of Wiltshire in South West England, as well as North Yorkshire. Overall crime in England and Wales The number of crimes in England and Wales reached approximately 6.74 million in 2022/23, falling slightly to 6.66 million in 2023/24. Overall crime has been rising steadily across England and Wales for almost a decade, even when adjusted for population rises. In 2022/23, for example, the crime rate in England and Wales was 93.6, the highest since 2006/07. When compared with the rest of the United Kingdom, England and Wales is something of an outlier, as crime rates for Scotland and Northern Ireland have not followed the same trajectory of rising crime. Additionally, there has been a sharp increase in violent crimes and sexual offences since the mid-2010s in England and Wales. While theft offences have generally been falling, the number of shoplifting offences reached a peak of 440,000 in 2023/24. Troubled justice system under pressure Alongside rising crime figures, many indicators also signal that the justice system is getting pushed to breaking point. The percentage of crimes that are solved in England and Wales was just 5.7 percent in 2023, with sexual offences having a clearance rate of just 3.6 percent. Crimes are also taking far longer than usual to pass through the justice system. In 2023, it took an average of 676 days for a crown court case to reach a conclusion from the time of the offence. This is most likely related to the large backlog of cases in crown courts, which reached over 62,200 in 2023. Furthermore, prisons in England and Wales are dangerously overcrowded, with just 1,458 spare prison places available as of June 2024.

Ballistic Protection Equipment Market Outlook

The global ballistic protection equipment market size was valued at USD 13.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 22.1 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% during the forecast period. This notable growth can be attributed to several factors, including increasing geopolitical tensions, rising military expenditures, and advancements in material science that enhance the effectiveness and comfort of ballistic protection equipment.

One of the primary growth factors driving the ballistic protection equipment market is the escalating global defense budgets. Governments worldwide are investing heavily in modernizing their armed forces, which includes procuring advanced ballistic protection gear for soldiers. This trend is especially prominent in regions with high geopolitical tensions and security challenges, such as Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The increasing focus on soldier survivability and military efficiency is compelling defense departments to invest in state-of-the-art body armor, helmets, and other protective equipment.

Technological advancements in materials and manufacturing processes are another significant factor contributing to market growth. Innovations such as lightweight composite materials and enhanced ceramic plates have revolutionized ballistic protection equipment by providing superior protection while minimizing the weight burden on users. This has led to the development of more comfortable and effective protective gear, which is crucial for extended military operations and law enforcement activities. Additionally, the integration of smart technologies, such as sensors and communication devices, into ballistic equipment is further driving market growth by adding new functionalities and improving operational efficiency.

The increasing incidence of civil unrest and violent crimes is also fueling the demand for ballistic protection equipment among law enforcement agencies and security personnel. In many countries, police forces and private security firms are increasingly equipping their officers with advanced ballistic gear to ensure their safety during high-risk operations. This trend is particularly evident in urban areas experiencing high crime rates and in regions with political instability. The rising emphasis on public safety and the need to protect law enforcement officers are key drivers for the market.

Military Personal Protection Equipment plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of armed forces personnel. As geopolitical tensions rise, the demand for advanced personal protection solutions is increasing. These equipment pieces are designed to provide soldiers with the necessary protection against ballistic threats while maintaining mobility and comfort. Modern military personal protection equipment incorporates cutting-edge materials and technologies, such as lightweight composites and integrated communication systems, to enhance operational efficiency. The focus on soldier survivability and mission success is driving defense departments to invest in state-of-the-art protective gear, which is expected to significantly contribute to the growth of the ballistic protection equipment market.

Regionally, North America holds a significant share of the ballistic protection equipment market, driven by substantial defense budgets and a proactive approach to national security. Europe also represents a considerable market share, supported by ongoing modernization programs within NATO member states. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to increasing defense spending and rising security concerns in countries like China and India. The Middle East & Africa region is also anticipated to grow steadily, driven by ongoing conflicts and the need for enhanced security measures.

Product Type Analysis

The ballistic protection equipment market can be segmented by product type, including body armor, helmets, shields, and others. Body armor represents the largest segment within this category, primarily due to its widespread use in both military and law enforcement applications. The demand for body armor is driven by the need for reliable and effective protection against ballistic threats, including bullets and shrapnel. Advancements in body armor technology, such as the development of modular and scalable systems, are also contributi

There were 938,020 crimes recorded in London in the 2023/24 reporting year, compared with 887,870 in the previous year. During this time period, crime in London increased steadily, with the figure of 912,487 in 2019/20 a previous peak when there were approximately 102.4 crimes per 1,000 people taking place in the UK capital, compared with 105.8 crimes per 1,000 people in the most recent year. What types of crime are rising? Compared with crime levels before the COVID-19 pandemic, some types of crime have yet to reach the same levels they were at in the 2019/20 reporting year. The number of criminal offences related to theft and drugs, are slightly down in 2023/24 when compared with pre-pandemic trends. On the other hand, the number of violent crimes reached a peak of 252,545 offences in 2023/24, while the number of sexual offences in London since 2021/22 has been far higher than in previous years. London compared to the rest of UK While the UK capital receives extensive coverage for its crime problems, the increase in crime there is part of a wider trend afflicting the rest of the country. The overall crime rate for England and Wales in 2023/24 was 89.7 crimes per 1,000 people, slightly lower than in 2022/23, when the crime rate was the highest since 2006/07. Additionally the Metropolitan Police, the police service responsible for policing Greater London had the sixth-highest crime rate among police force areas with Cleveland police force in North East England having the highest.