§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the accuracy and consistency of data on anti-social behaviour collected by constabularies; and if he will make a statement. [112663]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe Home Office is currently undertaking work to establish a common definition for anti-social behaviour to enable more accurate statistical data to be collected.
Recorded crime statistics do not currently include figures on anti-social behaviour although statistics are published for certain offences that might be regarded as anti social, e.g. criminal damage Recorded crime statistics are collected in accordance with the Home Office Counting Rules which are instructions aimed at providing consistency across all police forces in England and Wales. The introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard nationally from 1 April 2002 further aims to improve the consistency of data collected by forces.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary collects data on calls for service on community disorder although these are primarily for inspection purposes. Returns are accepted as accurate if they are consistent with returns for the previous year. Guidance to forces asks for an explanation where data differ to what might be expected.