British police should be ready to deal with a "more volatile and agitated society" when the coronavirus lockdown is finally lifted, a senior officer has warned.
Crime levels in England and Wales have plummeted by more than a quarter since the start of the pandemic, with a 28% decrease in the four weeks to April 12 compared to the same period last year.
During the spell, there has also been a 37% reduction in police recorded burglary, a 27% drop in vehicle crime, serious assault and personal robbery, and a 37% fall in recorded rape offences.
But Chief Superintendent Paul Griffiths, president of the Police Superintendents' Association, warned that periods of economic hardship can lead to a "rise in crime and disorder".