Crime statistics
Methods of measuring and recording crime
Official crime statistics:
They seek Patterns and trends;
Identify main types of crime
Usefulness of crime stats:
They are also useful in assessing the effectiveness of criminal justice initiatives
such as ASBOs
Published every six months by the Home Office
Have been collected since 1857 and so we can use them to compare trends over
time.
Weaknesses of crime stats:
Crimes cannot be recorded if they are not reported - The British Crime Survey
note some reasons crimes aren’t recorded; if they believe that it is too trivial, it is a
private matter,
There is also an issue with the crimes that the police CHOOSE to record - 57%
of all crimes reported to police each year fail to show up in official crime stats
Police ‘filtering’ could be due to the severity of the crime, the social status of the
victim, the classification of the crime, the discretion of the officer and even an
officer’s desire to be promoted
The role of the courts; they also reflect the decisions and sentences of the
courts. For example, British courts assume that the majority of criminals will plead
guilty (plea-bargaining). Therefore, the seriousness of the crime might be
downgraded
The role of the government; what is considered to be a criminal act changes over
time depending on cultural changes and the influence of powerful groups. E.g.
Police response to cannabis use.
Example of official crime statistics:
In 2021/22, 3,3% of males were victims to personal crime, compared to 2.9% of
females.
In 2020/21, 594 homicides were recorded, 70% of v’s were male and 30% female
Criticisms of crimes that don’t get reported:
Some crimes are not visible and therefore aren’t included in the OCS
tax/VAT fraud (and these offences are more likely to be committed by wealthy
people)
Schools may not report crime, as it reflects badly on them
Evidence shows certain groups have no faith in the police
Some victims do not recognise that a crime has occurred; such as child abuse
What is actually reported and recorded?
Methods of measuring and recording crime
Official crime statistics:
They seek Patterns and trends;
Identify main types of crime
Usefulness of crime stats:
They are also useful in assessing the effectiveness of criminal justice initiatives
such as ASBOs
Published every six months by the Home Office
Have been collected since 1857 and so we can use them to compare trends over
time.
Weaknesses of crime stats:
Crimes cannot be recorded if they are not reported - The British Crime Survey
note some reasons crimes aren’t recorded; if they believe that it is too trivial, it is a
private matter,
There is also an issue with the crimes that the police CHOOSE to record - 57%
of all crimes reported to police each year fail to show up in official crime stats
Police ‘filtering’ could be due to the severity of the crime, the social status of the
victim, the classification of the crime, the discretion of the officer and even an
officer’s desire to be promoted
The role of the courts; they also reflect the decisions and sentences of the
courts. For example, British courts assume that the majority of criminals will plead
guilty (plea-bargaining). Therefore, the seriousness of the crime might be
downgraded
The role of the government; what is considered to be a criminal act changes over
time depending on cultural changes and the influence of powerful groups. E.g.
Police response to cannabis use.
Example of official crime statistics:
In 2021/22, 3,3% of males were victims to personal crime, compared to 2.9% of
females.
In 2020/21, 594 homicides were recorded, 70% of v’s were male and 30% female
Criticisms of crimes that don’t get reported:
Some crimes are not visible and therefore aren’t included in the OCS
tax/VAT fraud (and these offences are more likely to be committed by wealthy
people)
Schools may not report crime, as it reflects badly on them
Evidence shows certain groups have no faith in the police
Some victims do not recognise that a crime has occurred; such as child abuse
What is actually reported and recorded?
