§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made in relation to the implementation of the recommendations contained within the Review of Crime Statistics [156869]
§ Mr. StrawFollowing the end of the consultation period in October 2000. the Review of Crime Statistics—which aims to enhance the accuracy and consistency of crime recording and to improve the quality of statistical data—has been subject of a review by a group of experts drawn from key stakeholder organisations and academia. The group's function was to consider the continued relevance and appropriateness of the recommendations in light of the consultation. The Expert's Group report indicates their continued support for the Review of Crime Statistics recommendations. A copy of their conclusions is being made available on the Home Office website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk), and has been placed in the Library.
An Implementation Group with representation from the main stakeholders, including the Association of Chief Police Officers, has been established by the Home Office, to oversee the delivery of the review's 66 recommendations over a five year period. Its key deliverables will include:
More consistent recording of crimes by police forces throughout England and WalesThe use of internet to collect and disseminate statistical dataCollection of new information and better use of existing information to help explain crime trendsImproving the machinery of government to help limit the demands on police officers.In July 2000, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) published its report "On the Record", which also included eight recommendations relating to crime recording and associated issues. As the two pieces of work serve to support a consistent view on the subject, it has been agreed to take forward work on the HMIC recommendations within the implementation of the Review of Crime Statistics.