Caught Red-handed. Why We Cannot Count on Police Recorded Crime Statistics

I am a little bit late with this news story, but it’s so important to us all that I felt I must run it.

In essence The House of Commons’ Public Administration Select Committee (PASC), Chaired by Mr Bernard Jenkin MP, has just published its findings and recommendations concerning police recorded crime data (April 1 2014).  It is highly critical and makes uncomfortable reading, but their recommendations will, I’m sure, be welcomed by my former colleagues and ultimately will lead to the best measure of police recorded crime in the world.

Here’s the first paragraph of their summary:

Crime statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are central to our understanding of the nature and prevalence of crime in England and Wales. They provide crucial information for the police which helps them to decide how to deploy their manpower resources. Lax supervision of recorded crime data risks reducing the police’s effectiveness in their core role of protecting the public and preventing crime........

Please read on at the link below

Caught Red-handed pdf: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmpubadm/760/760.pdf