The most violent country in Europe: Britain is also worse than South Africa and U.S. :: 11/18/2011

Britain's violent crime record is worse than any other country in the European union, it has been revealed.

Official crime figures show the UK also has a worse rate for all types of violence than the U.S. and even South Africa - widely considered one of the world's most dangerous countries.

The figures comes on the day new Home Secretary Alan Johnson makes his first major speech on crime, promising to be tough on loutish behaviour.

The figures, compiled from reports released by the European Commission and United Nations, also show:

· The UK has the second highest overall crime rate in the EU.

· It has a higher homicide rate than most of our western European neighbours, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

· The UK has the fifth highest robbery rate in the EU.

· It has the fourth highest burglary rate and the highest absolute number of burglaries in the EU, with double the number of offences than recorded in Germany and France.

But it is the naming of Britain as the most violent country in the EU that is most shocking. The analysis is based on the number of crimes per 100,000 residents.

The U.S. has a violence rate of 466 crimes per 100,000 residents, Canada 935, Australia 92 and South Africa 1,609.