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Criminology

Criminology (7th edn)

Stephen Jones
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date: 14 November 2024

p. 322. The statistics on crime and their meaninglocked

p. 322. The statistics on crime and their meaninglocked

  • Stephen JonesStephen JonesHonorary Senior Lecturer, School of Law, University of Bristol

Abstract

This chapter discusses crime statistics, which, as with any other form of statistical information, are often referred to by the media as if they provide a true measurement of crime. It is now increasingly accepted that criminal statistics provide a deficient guide to both the level of crime and trends in criminal behaviour. There has been a massive increase in the amount of statistical information promulgated about crime in the past few years. This reflects in part the greater sophistication in statistical techniques, but is mostly a consequence of the growing political interest in the criminal justice system and an accompanying call for greater accountability and openness. However, there are some facts that appear incontrovertible from all measurements of crime in England and Wales.

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