Quantitative Data

Quantitative Data

1. Official Crime Statistics

   • Peak age of offending for men: 17 women: 15
   • Police recorded statistics
   • Some crimes are unreported.
     • Due to fear of reprisals
   • Manipulated statistics
     • Unreliable?
     • Independent police officers can choose to pursue something or not
     • Dispersal
   • Some people aren't aware they have been victims of crime
   • Dark figure of crime
     • Crimes that aren't reported
   • For ever 100 crimes committed..
     • 47 are reported by victims
     • 27 are recorded by the police
     • 5 result in a caution or conviction

2. Victim Surveys (CSEW)

   • Largest social survey conducted in England and Wales
   • Asks people about crimes they have been victims of & whether these have been reported to the police
   • Gives a more accurate picture of the true extent of crime
   • Helps to uncover the dark figure of crime
   • Methods used
     • Letters are sent out in advance to sampled addresses to notify the household they have been selected
       • Sampling frame uses postcode addresses stratified by police force area
       • Random sampling ensures that all groups are represented
       • Sometimes a 'boost' sample might be used to ensure that minority ethnic groups are fully represented
     • Face to face interviews are used and the information is treated in the strictest confidence
       • Conducted in the respondent's homes and responses are recorded on the computer
       • Conducted with both those who have and have not been victims of crime
       • Average length is 47 minutes
     • A life event calendar is used to help people put dates to key events in their lives
   • Used to developed, monitor and evaluate policies aimed at reducing crime
   • Used to identify those most at risk of crime
   • Used to come up with crime prevention strategies
   • Bridge between people and government
   • Provide a more complete picture of crime and is a good guide to long term trends in crime