new figures suggest it's up in england and wales by 10%. recorded violent crime, including stabbings has increased by 18%. jamal boyce was stabbed last year and has been left in a vegetative state. his father expresses his despair. everyday i go to see him it is like i'm going to the funeral everyday. that is not him, that is how i rememberjamal, and it tears me up every time i see him. the figures coincide with home office data showing the number of police officers at its lowest since 1985. also tonight. end of week two of the brexit talks. still no deal on eu citizens‘ rights and the divorce bill. how one in three of us could avoid dementia changes including more exercise. summer's here, the temperature‘s rising and so is the cost of holiday childcare. and american golferjordan spieth takes an early lead at the 146th open championship at royal birkdale. coming up in sportsday with three

days to go chris froome is still favourite to win the tour de france but his latest is cut 223 seconds stage 18. —— his lead is cut. cut to 23 seconds. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the drop in crime over the last twenty years may be at an end. compiling reliable figures is complex but there's been a big increase in recorded crime in england and wales. the number of offences rose by 10% in the year to march — the largest annual rise in a decade. violent offences increased by eighteen percent and there was also more robbery and car crime. domestic burglary cases were up by 6%. part of the increase can be explained by better recording

of crime, but as our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford reports, government experts are convinced now the overall trend is on the rise. eve la i rd eve laird in the last minutes of a frenzied knife attack last october was left in hospital blinded with permanent brain damage. the victim of what appears to be rising violence in england and wales especially in our cities. violence in england and wales especially in our citiesli violence in england and wales especially in our cities. i see him every day. it's like every day i go to see him it is like i'm going to a funeral. that is notjamal, that is not how i rememberjamal. it tears me up every time i see him. these statistics are based on crimes actually recorded by police like this stabbing in january. actually recorded by police like this stabbing injanuary. not a reliable number yet studies dish and is believed the fall of crime in recent yea rs is believed the fall of crime in recent years may be on the turn even

if the figure could be too high. large part of that volume increase in violence is due to improved recording rather than a rise in crime. having said that there are some categories of violence serious end of the spectrum like murder, attempted murder, knife crime and gun crime where we think the rises reflected genuine upturn in violent crime. ministers can see there have been increases in some crimes but do not agree that it could be because of austerity or cuts to police budgets. i absolutely refuse to accept that there are economic reasons underpinning this, when it comes to funding which i know people are concerned about, the fact is that we are investing £8.5 billion worth of public money, taxpayers money into policing. for more than two decades crime has basically been falling but now police forces are having to face the real possibility that certain crimes are on the rise

again. and that includes burglary of people's homes. up here in east london, up 6% across england and wales. so what are officers doing about it? the first thing is we tackle those who we know are causing the most harm. that is our prolific burglars. the second thing is around oui’ burglars. the second thing is around our crime prevention piece so we would encourage people to do the basics around crime prevention. so things like locking doors and windows at night is so important. crime figures are not easy to interpret. a separate survey of people's personal experiences still suggests crime overall is falling but the government's own statisticians feel it may be out of date and at least some crimes are likely to be creeping up again. a confusing picture, daniel, as far as the government statisticians are concerned it is on the rise. the

crime survey which measures peoples experiences of crime which suggests that crime is falling is very very good for measuring long—term trends and it has shown this extraordinary fall in crime for over 20 years and it has shown that whatever little changes that are across that time, the crime has generally fallen in terms of crime that people experience. the problem is that the crime survey lags behind actual changes slightly. so for a while, we've seen these rises in particularly violent crime and crimes like domestic burglary, and there has been a question about, are those real rises or is it a glitch. the statisticians are convinced that the survey is lagging slightly and is also likely to show that some violent crimes and some crimes like domestic burglary might genuinely be on the rise. the minister insists that austerity has nothing to do with it, is he right, has anyone an

idea why crime is rising. people write doctoral theses on why crime goes up and down. there are changes in society, frankly, trends, people do something for a few years and then stop so crimes can change for all sorts of reasons. but the government does have a real difficulty because this comes at a time when police numbers are at the lowest they've been since 1985. it has allowed both the opposition parties and the police operation that represents the rank and file police officers to say, you have led police officers to say, you have led police numbers go to load and this is why crime is rising. it's not possible to say if it is true but it has certainly given them ammunition —— police numbers go too low. franco, daniel. —— thank you, daniel. four days of brexit talks in brussels ended today, with the eu's chief negotiator saying that there are still "fundamental" disagreements about citizens‘ rights. michel barnier called for clarification on a number of issues. but the brexit secretary david davis described the talks as robust and insisted there was a lot

to be positive about. our europe editor katya adler assesses how much progress the two men are making. europe's odd couple. negotiating brexit together. at opposite ends of the table. their goals, one for the uk, the other favouring the eu, dramatically different. they agree brexit deal is possible but after week two of negotiations, acknowledged it will be tough. the uk should clarify... one, two, three, the eu's visibly exasperated chief brexit negotiator called total of eight times in english and french for clarification of the uk's brexit vision. about that, he says, negotiations could not progress. david davis was moss and win. clearly a lot left to talk about and more left to clarify. ultimately a solution will require flexibility from both sides. what about

concessions from the eu site. where will the eu show some give, perhaps asa will the eu show some give, perhaps as a trust making exercise, isn't there any wiggle room? translation: negotiations have onlyjust started. of course there are compromises to be made but it is too early to talk about them. we are not there yet. week to a brexit talks have now ended with no major breakthrough on some of the thorniest issues. the uk's so—called brexit bill and the rights of eu citizens in the uk and british expats in the eu. key sticking points, the uk wants to check the criminal record of all eu citizens wanting to stay while the eu says uk expats would lose the right to move to other countries. there has been modest progress. this isa there has been modest progress. this is a joint there has been modest progress. this isajoint eu— there has been modest progress. this is a joint eu— uk pepe on citizens rights, colour—coded to show areas of agreement and disagreement. not

every negotiating session can end in harmony but uk is under pressure to move on from divorce issues like this to talk of the future with the eu, our biggest trading partner. the uk's trade secretary was in geneva today to talk about global opportunities but he admitted and in between stage may be needed after brexit to ease the uk into its new future. it won't happen overnight. frankly i have been waiting to leave the european union for a very long time. another two years would not be too much to ask. brussels is still hearing all sorts of voices in britain's brexit debate. the eu waiting impatiently for that clarity while there is still time to negotiate. cutting adler, bbc news, brussels. —— katya adler. one in three of us could stop ourselves getting dementia if we made some key life style changes — according to an international medical study. stop smoking, keep active, learn a new skill and

don't get overweight — those are just some of them as our medical correspondent fergus walsh has been finding out. these runners aren'tjust improving their fitness, they're reducing their risk of developing dementia. i joined the serpentine running club in hyde park. their motivation is as much mental as physical. for me, it's mindful, it's relief for stress, and itjust helps me be more resilient during the day. it makes me more connected, i think, emotionally. it also makes me, actually, just more alert. and ijust think it must be benefiting my long—term health. the main risk factor for dementia is old age, butjust as with cancer and heart disease, we can all significantly reduce our chances of developing it. that means thinking about our brain health throughout our lives, keeping our minds and our bodies active. what's good for your heart is good for your head. i think here's really strong evidence that there

is an associational link between heart disease and risk factors for heart disease and diabetes as well, are clearly associated with dementia later in life. she speaks spanish. learning a new language can help build what's called cognitive reserve, strengthening the brain's networks. so it can still function in later life despite damage. a new study says a third of dementia cases could potentially be prevented if nine risk factors were addressed. they are lack of education, hearing loss, smoking, depression, social isolation, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. alcohol and diet may also play a role. eve laird is part of a study in edinburgh which is trying to identify changes in the brain that may be an early warning sign of dementia many years before symptoms emerge. her mother has alzheimer's, so this is personal.

she got it when she was 58. i'm now 44, and i think that only leaves me a few years to really enjoy life. so many traits i see in myself, similarities between myself and my mother, that it would be no big surprise if i was diagnosed later on in life as having dementia. 0k, eve, what we are looking at here is the mri scan itself. it looks completely healthy. there's nothing we can do to guarantee a life free from dementia, but this research shows we can increase our chances of a healthy old age. fergus walsh, bbc news. two of the world's largest secret online marketplaces have been shut down in an attempt to stop the sales of illegal drugs, guns and hacking software. alphabay and hansa, who operate on the so—called dark web, were closed after a joint operation between police in the us and europe. the us attorney general says it shows the dark net is no place to hide.

sir vince cable is the new leader of the liberal democrats. the former business secretary was elected to the job after no—one decided to run against him. the 74—year—old has replaced former leader tim farron, who stood down after the election. in his first speech as leader he called for an "exit from brexit". here's our political correspondent vicki young, her report contains flash photography. and our liberal democrat leader, vince cable. most would be relaxing into retirement at the age of 7a but not sir vince cable. he is still burning with ambition and fighting forbidden to stay in the european union. what we now need is an exit from brexit. we must consult the british public at the end of the process , british public at the end of the process, to put to them the choice, do you wish to accept what is coming down the track, jumping off a cliff

and hoping there's a tree to catch you? ordo and hoping there's a tree to catch you? or do we want to stay within the european union? but wasn't that pro—european message rejected by voters at the election? sir fins thinks the mood will change. there's quite a high possibility that brexit will not happen. what will emerge over the next two years i suspect is a significant deterioration in the economy. and i am very clear that the public did not vote to be poorer. so i think when you add all that together, you see a picture which is very different from the one we saw in the general election. the liberal democrats are the fourth—largest party at westminster yet sir vince cable thinks politics is so volatile it is not possible to predict what will happen in the next few months, let alone the next few yea rs. few months, let alone the next few years. he says no one should roll out a lib dem breakthrough but is he the man to make that happen? sir

vince has a higher profile than his predecessor tim farron. his passion for dancing led to this christmas tv appearance but he will be needing more than fancy footwork now. friends highlight his experience. he seemed to enjoy his brief stint as interim leader ten years ago. the house has noted the pro minister's remarkable transformation in the last few weeks from stalin to mr bean. and he was one of the few politicians to predict the financial crisis. the naturally closer to the labour party sir vince accepted the role of business secretary during the conservative — lib dem coalition. he says british politics is badly lacking common sense and moderation and that is what he is promising to provide. vicki young, bbc news, westminster. the time is a quarter past six. our top story this evening: new figures suggest recorded crime in england and wales has risen by 10%. and coming up, i am here at royal

birkdale where it's been a tricky day for the golfers on the first day of the championship. coming in sportsday on bbc news... tom westley will make his england debut in the third test against south africa. the essex batsman will come in at number three at the oval next week. if you are working parent, you will know the summer holidays are an expensive time of year and it is getting more so. the family and childcare trust says the average cost of a week's childcare in the holidays is now a record £1211. that's an increase of 4% since last year. here's simon gompertz. paddle boarding and kayaking, the sort of holiday childcare at leicester outdoor pursuits that a lot of parents want for their kids. but it comes at a price — £155 per week. for nina it means putting

herself in to debt to make sure her 13—year—old kyle can come here while she's working full—time. i personally don't have the funds altogether to have it. so how do you do it? well, it goes on the credit card, or some years i have put money aside each month. it takes planning. i have to think in advance. there is more affordable care in leicester city centre. alison, a maternity nurse, is paying just £75 a week each for her boys because this, the belgrave playhouse, is supported by the council. it makes the difference between being able to work or not. i wouldn't be able to do the job that i did because i wouldn't be able to fit the childcare around the hours that i do. it's as tough as that? it's as tough as that, i just wouldn't be able to go to work. unsurprisingly, the playhouse is oversubscribed because parents across the country are having to pay a record amount. this year it's... up4%“. to £124... ..a week on average.

the shortage of places doesn't help. for four to seven—year—olds, only 29% of english councils say there's enough provision in their areas. what might make a big difference to pa rents is if their employers did more to help. now, we can request flexible working and millions are already managing to do that. but some employers are going even further. how about this, for instance? a chute in the office. come on down! this tech business has entertainments on hand for staff, and it's letting them bring their children in to enjoy it over the holidays, as long as they get their work done. so, if everyone brought their kids in, could you cope with that? well, we probably would struggle if everybody brought their kids in, but realistically it's the people who really need the help during the summer period that's really important. i think businesses need to wake up. i think if people don't start doing this then people will go

through the same routines of losing staff. parents would welcome any help to stop their finances falling over because of the rise in cost of holiday childcare. simon gompertz, bbc news. the government's been accused of betraying rail passengers by scrapping plans to electrify major rail lines in wales, the midlands and the lake district. new trains which can be powered by diesel or overhead cables are to be introduced instead. our transport correspondent richard westcott is in leicester. richard, how are people responding? five years ago i remember being the reporter standing here, telling you how they would electrify the midland main line up to leicester and beyond to sheffield. today the government said it will cancel that project and they have also said they will cancel electrifying the line between swa nsea

electrifying the line between swansea and cardiff and around the la ke swansea and cardiff and around the lake district and windermere as well because it is far more complex and expensive than anyone had ever realised. so the government has said we will buy these new trains, they will be part electric and part diesel, they can go everywhere and we will bring them in sooner so the passengers get the benefits earlier. that is a little bit of a sweetener but it has also created a lot of anger here and in south wales they are calling it a betrayal and said all of the money gets spent in london, not here. next year crossrail opens in london and that cost £15 billion. thank you. beth ingram was a teenager when she was locked in a mental health rehabilitation ward for several weeks. it made her feel desperate and she says it was totally the wrong place for her. and according to a review of england's mental health services, too many mental health patients are held in locked wards farfrom home for an average of a year. the care quality commission also says 40% of all mental health services need to improve patient safety.

our health editor hugh pym went to meet beth and to hear her story. the regulator's words are stark — too many locked rehabilitation wards, many mental health patients feeling hopeless and powerless in a system which breeds isolation and institutionalisation. beth can identify with that. in her late teens she became mentally ill and had severe depression. for several weeks she was detained for her own safety in a locked mental health ward. now back at home and finding art therapeutic, she said the setting was totally wrong for her needs. the ward was locked by several doors, and i very much did... i got to the point where i would bang my head on a door. i would run at the door when i was at my most desperate. i wasn't well and... you're desperate to get out. the care quality commission says it's concerned there are 3500 beds in these locked wards, not including secure units for those

who are a danger to the public. we weren't expecting to find this many. we can't say exactly how many of the people in these wards don't need to be in a locked facility, but we do suspect that quite a high proportion of people in these services could and should be moved back to be much closer to home. the report also says that across england's mental health services, 40% need safety improvements. access to children services is said to be a significant problem, and there are fewer mental health beds and nurses than in previous years. but the coc says there are examples of excellent care and signs of improvement at some nhs trusts. whilst patients can feel safe and that they are receiving effective care, there are areas across the country where that's not the case and we must turn our attention there and ensure that we bring everyone up to the level of good and safe and caring. things like crisis houses...

but beth says health leaders need to look harder at where the system is failing. you try being on some of these wards or having a daughter or a son on some of these wards. it's not the right place, and a lot of the time it would be unnecessary if there was just more care provided before people got to that point. beth wants to support others in a similar situation. she hopes the disturbing experience she endured is soon consigned to the past. hugh pym, bbc news. it was enough to test even the strongest of marriages, as the duke and duchess of cambridge found themselves pitted against each other in a rowing race in germany. they were coxing rival boats in the city of heidlelberg, the latest stop on their european tour. after some words of advice from their team mates, william got off to a good start, and ultimately proved too strong for kate, with his boat winning by almost a length. and it was his honour

to celebrate the occasion, cracking open a barrel of beer at the finish line. the 146th open championship is under way at royal birkdale, near southport, where some of the world's best golfers are competing for the claretjug. no—one from britain or northern ireland has won the trophy on the course. already, the weather has played a big part in the fortune of the players, as andy swiss reports. good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the open at royal birkdale... a warm welcome for the fans but not exactly the players. a brisk breeze meant testing conditions for the early starters, and for most the leaderboard made grim reading. but not for all, as a home favourite set the pace. ian poulter has struggled with form and fitness, but you would scarcely have guessed it. the runner—up here nine years ago back to his bullish best. the love affair hasn't changed since 2008. i remember walking up obviously, er, the last hole with a scorecard in my hand and it was a pretty special feeling. obviously i've gone out there today and performed just as well.

but for hometown hero tommy fleetwood, the dream soon faded, as golf‘s star of 2017 was blown off course. fleetwood more wayward, no amount of local knowledge can help you in there. and he wasn't the only struggler, as rory mcilroy‘s recent woes continued, bogeying five of the first six holes, a shadow of his world—beating best. instead it was the american challenge that blossomed, as brooks koepka and jordan spieth charged to the top. while matt kuchar was also in tantalising touch, making the best of the best conditions. commentator: 0h, hello! hello! the prize for shot of the day, well that has to go to charley hoffman at the very first hole. a touch of beginner's luck perhaps. if only golf were always this simple. the latest i can tell you is that

three americans share the lead, jordan spieth, brooks koepka and matt kuchar, they are 1—shot clear of paul casey. as for rory mcilroy things have improved a little but he is still nine shots off the pace. time for a look at the weather. here's chris fawkes. it looks like the sun has come out at last. yes, but tomorrow it will turn quite blustery, cloudy and there will be some rain around particularly during the afternoon at royal birkdale so some tricky golfing conditions. we have lost the humid air we had over the last few days, replaced with fresh air today. you have probably noticed that if you have been out and about, and there has been out and about, and there has been some decent sunshine around in the afternoon. we are going to see

some further change in the weather overnight tonight as a band of rain begins to moving across south wales and western england, also turning wet and windy from northern ireland by the end of the night. the rain clears away from scotland leaving drier conditions. relatively mild overnight, then tomorrow look at this, it isn't a chart we really wa nt to this, it isn't a chart we really want to see during july. a deep area of low pressure with the isobars tightly packed together which tells us tightly packed together which tells us it will be a windy day. there is a slow—moving band of whether and there will be strong winds too reaching gale force at times, but across northern and eastern scotland and eastern areas of england the weather should be largely dry with decent spells of sunshine. a little on the cool side beneath that band of cloud and rain. the same area of low pressure still with us into the weekend so expect some rain, some slow—moving heavy thundery downpours, but there will be some

sunshine around as well. for example on saturday south—eastern england not doing too badly, butjust about anywhere else we are likely to see some heavy, slow—moving thundery downpours, temperatures reaching a high of 20 degrees. a reminder of our main story this evening. new figures suggest recorded crime in england and wales has risen by 10%. that's all from the bbc news at six so it's goodbye from me, and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc‘s news teams where you are. today's 18% today's18% increase in violence is based on the crimes actually recorded by police, like this stabbing in manchester injanuary. it's been an unreliable measure, but nonetheless government statisticians think the fall in crime in recent yea rs think the fall in crime in recent years may be on the turn, even if the headline figure could be too high. this is bbc news, the headlines: there's been a 10% rise in recorded crime in england and wales, the largest annual increase for a decade. after four days of brexit talks the eu's chief negotiatior says there remain fundamental disagreements and the uk must

clarify its position on a number of issues. the usjustice department announces the shutdown of two "dark web" marketplaces that allowed thousands of vendors to anonymously sell illegal drugs and weapons. and it was william versus kate as the duke and duchess went head to head in a boat race in germany today with william taking first place. in a moment it will be time for sportsday but first a look at what else is coming up this evening on bbc news. we'll be live at nottingham station in the heart of the east midlands after the department for transport scrapped the planned electrification of major railway lines there. and in wales. vince cable is elected unopposed as the party leader. we'll be speaking to alistair carmichael mp to establish

why only mr cable wanted to be the boss. and whatever happened to neighbourhood watch? we're looking into the largest rise in recorded crime in england and wales in a decade. that's all ahead on bbc news. now on bbc news it's time for sportsday