Reoffending rates at record high The number of hardened criminals reoffending is at a record high while the number of first-time offenders has dropped in England and Wales. The latest criminal justice statistics show nearly a third (31.2%) of defendants convicted of serious offences (crown court offences) last year had 15 or more previous convictions or cautions. The number is the highest since 2001 when it was 17.9% and has risen steadily. The Ministry of Justice's quarterly update also said 10.1% of offenders convicted of indictable offences in 2011 had no previous criminal offences. The figures added that the 31.2% figure with 15 or more previous offences was an increase of 13.3% since 2001. While the number of people with 15 or more cautions has risen steadily, the number of first time offenders has dropped since 2001 - from 11.9% to 10.1% in 2011. Iain Bell, chief statistician for the Ministry of Justice, said: "The proportion of offenders who have either been cautioned or convicted who have 15 or more previous offences is rising." The figures, released today, show that while the number of offenders with 15 or more previous convictions or cautions is at a record high, other repeat offenders sentenced for indictable offences has fallen.