Introduction to Criminology - Strenghts and Weaknesses of police recorded crime stats

Question 1

What are the strengths of police recorded crime statistics?

Answer 1

Intelligence-led policing
Crime mapping

Question 2

What is intelligence-led policing?

Answer 2

When the police know where to correctly allocate their resources

Question 3

What is crime mapping?

Answer 3

Street crime and burglary, allow the police to come up with initiatives to target a certain crime in a certain area. Available to the public

Question 4

What are the weaknesses to [police recorded crime statistics?

Answer 4

The Justice Gap
The dark figure of crime
The grey figure of crime
Home office counting rule
Exclusion of summary offences

Question 5

What is the Justice Gap?

Answer 5

Attrition, not all recorded crime will result in a court outcome. CPS decide it is not the public’s best interest.

Question 6

What is the dark figure of crime?

Answer 6

A crime that isn’t reported to the police. Out of 100 crimes committed only half are reported.

Question 7

What is the Grey figure of crime?

Answer 7

Reported crime but isn’t recorded, the police believe it is a hoax or that it isn’t that Important enough in that moment to be recorded. Only 25 put of 100 crime are recorded.
Lack of resources and not significant harm caused.

Question 8

What is the Home office counting rule?

Answer 8

Double-counting crimes due to victim numbers, and changes in rules. Reclassification of crimes.

Question 9

What is the exlusion of summary offences?

Answer 9

When only the ‘notifiable’ offences are recorded.