Official Crime Statistics
School of Sociology, Social Policy
& Social Work
CRM 1001.
Introducing Criminology.
Academic Session 2011 - 2012
ASSIGNMENT STATEMENT.
.
“Crime statistics do not accurately reflect the nature and extent of crime in our society.”
STUDENT NAME: Richard Irwin
STUDENT NUMBER: XXXXXX
TUTOR: XXXXXX
WORD COUNT: XXXX Excluding Bibliography, Appendices and Footnotes)
CONTENTS
ASSIGNMENT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICIES
Crime statistics do not accurately reflect the nature and extent of crime in our society.
In order to answer the question, I need to explain how crime is recorded, where that happens and what is the result and perception of reporting or not reporting crime.
Crime statistics are recorded centrally through a Government body called the Official Crime Statistics or OCS. Figures for crime are collated through a number of sources. The Chief Constables Annual report and the British Crime survey two examples but there are other recording bodies. Crime is reported through the Police, the Court service, by self reporting individuals and in some way by what is referred to as victimisation surveys. Crime statistics, some would suggest, are necessary. Police services would suggest that they allow the targeting of crime in specific areas and allow the effective deployment of resources to combat and deter crime. Crime recording has evolved of around 30 years. Statistics have been kept since around 1981 and required the Police to record minimal information. The table below shows the recorded crime in England and Wales from 1981.
Table England and Wales Police Recorded Crime, 1981-2003 Year | Number of crimes | Notes | Year | Number of crimes | Notes | 1981 | 2,963,764 | | 1993 | 5,526,255 | | 1982 | 3,262,422 | | 1994 | 5,252,980 | | 1983 | 3,247,030 | | 1995 | 5,100,241 | | 1984 | 3,499,107 | | 1996 | 5,036,552 | | 1985 | 3,611,883 | | 1997 | 4,598,357 | | 1986 | 3,847,410 | | 1997/1998 | 4,545,337 |
& Social Work
CRM 1001.
Introducing Criminology.
Academic Session 2011 - 2012
ASSIGNMENT STATEMENT.
.
“Crime statistics do not accurately reflect the nature and extent of crime in our society.”
STUDENT NAME: Richard Irwin
STUDENT NUMBER: XXXXXX
TUTOR: XXXXXX
WORD COUNT: XXXX Excluding Bibliography, Appendices and Footnotes)
CONTENTS
ASSIGNMENT
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICIES
Crime statistics do not accurately reflect the nature and extent of crime in our society.
In order to answer the question, I need to explain how crime is recorded, where that happens and what is the result and perception of reporting or not reporting crime.
Crime statistics are recorded centrally through a Government body called the Official Crime Statistics or OCS. Figures for crime are collated through a number of sources. The Chief Constables Annual report and the British Crime survey two examples but there are other recording bodies. Crime is reported through the Police, the Court service, by self reporting individuals and in some way by what is referred to as victimisation surveys. Crime statistics, some would suggest, are necessary. Police services would suggest that they allow the targeting of crime in specific areas and allow the effective deployment of resources to combat and deter crime. Crime recording has evolved of around 30 years. Statistics have been kept since around 1981 and required the Police to record minimal information. The table below shows the recorded crime in England and Wales from 1981.
Table England and Wales Police Recorded Crime, 1981-2003 Year | Number of crimes | Notes | Year | Number of crimes | Notes | 1981 | 2,963,764 | | 1993 | 5,526,255 | | 1982 | 3,262,422 | | 1994 | 5,252,980 | | 1983 | 3,247,030 | | 1995 | 5,100,241 | | 1984 | 3,499,107 | | 1996 | 5,036,552 | | 1985 | 3,611,883 | | 1997 | 4,598,357 | | 1986 | 3,847,410 | | 1997/1998 | 4,545,337 |
Bibliography: Table England and Wales Police Recorded Crime, 1981-2003 Year | Number of crimes | Notes | Year | Number of crimes | Notes | Source: Simmons and Dodd, Home Office Statistical Bulletin, 2003, p.27 Home Office counting rules then changed in 1998