§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much crime figures have increased since 1979.
§ Mr. John PattenSince 1979 and up to the end of March 1990, recorded crime has increased by 58 per cent. However, there is evidence from the British crime survey that the real increase in crime has been less than that recorded by the police: between 1981 and 1987, survey crimes increased by 30 per cent. compared with 41 per cent. for comparable crimes recorded by the police. Results of the 1988 British crime survey are published in Home Office research study 111. Recorded crime figures for 1979 are published in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 1988"—Cm. 847—and for the 12 months to March 1990 in Home Office statistical bulletin 19/90. Copies of these publications are available in the Library.