HC Deb 08 September 2003 vol 410 cc56-7W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the level of crime in rural areas in the 12 months up to(a) 31 March 1999, (b) 31 March 2001 and (c) 31 March 2003. [125892]

Ms Blears

According to the British Crime Survey (BCS) 2000, the BCS 2001, Crime in England and Wales 2001–02 and Crime in England and Wales 2002–03, levels of crime were substantially lower in rural areas than in non-rural areas in 1999, 2000 and the 12 months to March 2002 and March 2003. Data are not available for the 12 months to March 2001 due to the methodological changes in the BCS from calendar to financial year. The available information on crime levels for this period is as follows:

The likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is also substantially lower in rural areas than non-rural areas during these periods. In 2002–03, 18 per cent. of victims of burglary lived in rural areas, similarly only

Prevalence of Crime (percentage of victim once or more)
BCS 2000 Crime in 1999 BCS 2001 Crime in 2000 BCS 2001–02 Interviews in 12 months to March 2002 BCS 2002–03 Interviews in 12 months to March 2003
Rural Non-rural Rural Non-rural Rural Non-rural Rural Non-rural
Burglary 2.6 4.8 1.9 3.9 2.0 3.9 2.5 3.7
Violent crime 2.6 4.7 2.4 4.1 2.4 4.5 2.9 4.4
Vehicle related theft1 9.0 14.0 6.9 12.5 7.9 12.6 7.7 11.8
1 Based on vehicle owners only.

Note:

1. Data for BCS 2001–02 and 2002–03 uses the new calibration weights, data for BCS 2000 and 2001 do not.