Crime Statistics (Hansard, 6 December 1994)

§ Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what analysis he has made of the reasons for the increases in crime levels from 1987 to 1992 shown in the 1993 crime statistics.

§ Mr. Maclean
Changes in crime levels are regularly monitored through analysis of recorded crime rates and the British crime survey. Successive studies over a long period have shown a wide range of factors which can influence levels of recorded crime, including the willingness of victims to report offences and the availability of opportunities to commit crime.

§ Mr. Michael
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what comparison he has made of the rate of increase in crime in England and Wales and other developed nations between 1987 and 1992.

§ Mr. Maclean
Information showing international comparisons of the rate of increase in recorded crime was published for the first time, in "Criminal statistics, England and Wales, 1993" on 2 November 1994. A copy of table 1.2 follows:
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Table 1.1 Crimes¹recorded by the police-main developed countries

Percentage increase

Country 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1987—92 1991—92

Canada⁽⁵⁾ 2,368,956 2,390,007 2,425,936 2,627,193 2,899,006 2,848,091 20 -2

Japan 1,577,954 1,641,310 1,673,268 1,636,628 1,707,877 1,742,366 10 2

Australia⁽⁵⁾ 1,070,367 1,987,273 1,125,661 1,149,478 1,274,893 1,273,948 19 —

New Zealand 406,627 418,928 425,623 449,479 484,507 499,003 23 3

Notes:

⁽¹⁾ More serious offences. In many countries defined as against the 'penal code' or 'criminal code' and excludes less serious crimes (misdemeanours). The range of offences covered differ between each country and some countries (eg Portugal) acknowledge double counting in the collection of such statistics. Comparisons based upon absolute figures are therefore misleading.

⁽²⁾ Includes former East Germany in 1992 but part of East Germany in 1991.

⁽³⁾ 1987–1990 only.

⁽⁴⁾ FBI Uniform Crime Index covering murder and non-negligent manslaughter, manslaughter by negligence, forcible rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny-theft of motor vehicles, theft and arson, but excludes offences such as drugs, included in other countries figures.

⁽⁵⁾ Data for financial years 1992=1991–92 etc.

Source:
Mainly stat,istical contacts in each country.

Table 1.1 Crimes¹recorded by the police-main developed countries
							Percentage increase
Country	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1987—92	1991—92
Canada⁽⁵⁾	2,368,956	2,390,007	2,425,936	2,627,193	2,899,006	2,848,091	20	-2
Japan	1,577,954	1,641,310	1,673,268	1,636,628	1,707,877	1,742,366	10	2
Australia⁽⁵⁾	1,070,367	1,987,273	1,125,661	1,149,478	1,274,893	1,273,948	19	—
New Zealand	406,627	418,928	425,623	449,479	484,507	499,003	23	3
Notes:
⁽¹⁾ More serious offences. In many countries defined as against the 'penal code' or 'criminal code' and excludes less serious crimes (misdemeanours). The range of offences covered differ between each country and some countries (eg Portugal) acknowledge double counting in the collection of such statistics. Comparisons based upon absolute figures are therefore misleading.
⁽²⁾ Includes former East Germany in 1992 but part of East Germany in 1991.
⁽³⁾ 1987–1990 only.
⁽⁴⁾ FBI Uniform Crime Index covering murder and non-negligent manslaughter, manslaughter by negligence, forcible rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny-theft of motor vehicles, theft and arson, but excludes offences such as drugs, included in other countries figures.
⁽⁵⁾ Data for financial years 1992=1991–92 etc.