Latest Crime Statistics

The Sun’s Take on the Latest Crime Stats The Sun says we can’t trust the latest crime stats - statistics alone cannot reveal the truth about crime. Which begs the question, what can?

The Sun Recommends Triangulation? I shouldn’t be sarcastic, but its too tempting - The Sun cannot be regarded as an authoritative source of sociological comment, but nevertheless, its’ editorial today does raise some interesting questions about how we can interpret the current crime statistics.

Here’s my own brief summary of The Sun leader:

“The Sun says that crime statistics alone cannot reveal the truth about Broken Britain. They can be twisted any way the Government likes. The Tories point to Justice Ministry figures showing convictions for teenage violence and theft doubling since Labour took office. True, says the Government — but only because we’re bringing more yobs to book. In fact crime is down by a massive 39 per cent. So we must all decide for ourselves. Today, we report four teenage murders in three days. Do you think crime levels are lower than in 1997? Do you feel there are enough police to keep order? Do you think that current sentences are sufficient deterrent? Do you think Labour really has been “tough on crime”? Do you feel safer than when they came to power? The Sun bets the answer, every time, is No. “

Of course, it’s entirely feasible that the crime stats do lack validity; this is after all one of the key areas of interpretive critique of official statistics and the positivist approach. But as sociology students you can - unlike The Sun - generate a number of reasons why stats can be lacking. And you may also know why The Sun isn’t necessarily on strong ground when it gives as justification the fact that it has just reported four murders in three days.

And what about that begging question? What else can reveal the truth about crime levels in the UK? What other methods would you recommend in order to get a more accurate picture of crime? Discuss!