<p>[holding answer 29 November 2013]: When it came to power in 2010, this Government moved the publication of crime statistics to the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS) to ensure independence and encourage greater trust in the figures. Since then, ONS has recognised that the-system for recording crime in England and Wales by the police is one of the best in the world, according to international standards.</p><p>This is further supported by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. Its 2012 report on the integrity of police crime recording found that the majority of forces were performing well against the National Crime Recording Standard.</p><p>We are continuing to improve the quality of crime recording and build trust in national statistics. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has an important role to ensure that this is achieved.</p><p>Crime is falling according to both police recorded crime and the Crime Survey for England and Wales. From the year to the end of June 2013 by 5% (according to Police Recorded Crime) and by 7% (according to the Crime Survey England and Wales).</p>