Why Is Fear Of Crime Out Of Step With The Risk

[jake-the-peg]

In a recent News question AOG suggested the London Murder rate was growing when in fact it was shrinking.

Putting aside a suspicion that people sometimes deliberately make such suggestions to promote an incorrect picture of lawlessness for their own political gains there seems to be a fear of (particularly violent) crime that doesn't match the actual statistical risks.

How is it that this comes about?

Is it just press sensationalising or is it an age thing? do we become more fearful as we get older?

[birdie1971]

The statistical risk of being a victim of crime is calculated using actual data about the levels of recorded crime and population. Unfortunately, it would seem that the police have been under-reporting crime to the tune of about 400,000 offences meaning that the statistical risk of being a victim of crime is significantly higher than has previously been suggested by the official figures.

It would seem that people's fears are far more justified than your post would suggest.

http://goo.gl/4UWrX
http://goo.gl/U6srX

[ummmm]

Birdie - that's lower-level offences. AOG was talking about stabbings.

[Orderlimit]

'How is it that this comes about'

By police 'cooking' the books (target culture) and public under reporting due to lack of faith that anything will happen. (violent crime and crimes against the person).

(this is not aimed at front line officers)

[Orderlimit]

And don't trust recorded crime 'detected' figures, they are also cooked.

[ummmm]

But the OP is talking about murder.

[Orderlimit]

I think J-T-P is asking about fear of violent crime

[ummmm]

//In a recent News question AOG suggested the London Murder rate was growing when in fact it was shrinking.//

[Orderlimit]

In that case my answer does not refer to homicide offences but core level offences of violence and other serious offences

[ummmm]

And then I agree with you. There are loads of violent crimes that go unreported.

[naomi24]

Depending on where you live, I don't think it is. In some areas fear of crime is justified.

[Duncer]

The police now categorise crime(s) differently to make it appear as though it is of a more low level nature. It helps their statistics no end

[Orderlimit]

True Duncer, such examples would be assault reports which are ABH offences knocked down to common assault if there are no suspects or no realistic chance of the crime being detected and robbery offences knocked down to theft but the list and tactics are endless.

[birdie1971]

Ummmm -

I agree that JTP initially spoke about the murder rate. However, his question quickly turned to the matter of the fear of crime in general. It was to that matter that my initial answer was aimed at.

I would also add that in my experience (as a former police officer), more and more people are increasingly unwilling to report 'minor' crimes because they simply believe that nothing will be done about it. And to a large degree they're right and I suspect that given the reduction in police officers since 2007 (when I quit) the situation has only got worse. When I was a uniformed officer, it was not uncommon to be called to job where the victim had initially phoned the police and upon arrival to be told that they didn't want to pursue the matter any further because either, a) they couldn't be bothered to make a statement; or b) they didn't think that the police would pursue the matter in any meaningful way.

In general and taking my own personal experience into account, I believe that the levels of crime in this country are significantly higher than the official figures would have you believe.

Also, I believe that burglary (when the house is unoccupied) is now classified as a 'minor' crime... but that's another matter.

[Duncer]

To rectify this problem we need a more stringent court service and more spaces in jail, otherwise we will continue to see community service orders and punishments are ignored/worthless.

[Sqad]

\\\\Is it just press sensationalising or is it an age thing? do we become more fearful as we get older?\\\

Good point JTP

Now why should "old people" fear crime in the community?

Perhaps that it is perceived by the old folk rather than real.....maybe.
But if it is real, then why should it affect only the old folk?
Perhaps the "old folk" can remember and compare two differing generations,one of which predates the present generation.
Wouldn't that make the fear felt by "old folk" more realistic?

One could argue that as one gets older, one's memory goes.......but it is short term memory that goes with age, long term memory may be as acute as ever.

Just a suggestion as to why "old folk" feel that they are living in a more violent society...........perhaps they are.......

[Duncer]

Perhaps they feel more vulnerable and are shocked at the high level of knife crime and lenient sentencing?

[ummmm]

Birdie -

'Some' police officers are also shyte, which puts people off from reporting crime. Just 4 of my experiences...

1) Domestic violence. 999 call made by 8 year old child because daddy is kicking mummy. Police arrive and take daddy away. Not arrested, taken away from the situation and dropped at a friends house. Police woman takes a statement from me and the whole time made me feel like I was a complete tool that brought on myself. No action taken, no advise given, he was allowed to return the next day to carry on making our life hell.

2) I got attacked in my own home by a stranger (it's a long story) called 999. Police came out. Police woman tried to convince me that he was there with the intention of robbing me. BULL!! This man tried to get me on the floor. His intentions were not robbery!!

3) My son was robbed aged about 10. The older kids that done it made them jump up and down to see if they had money in their pockets. They did and they made them hand over their £2.30. This was taken seriously and the police, on two occasions, travelled from Kettering to Northampton to take statements.

How inconsistent is that?

[ummmm]

3 not 4...

[Orderlimit]

I agree with some of the comments here in that some offences that are considered serious are simply just brushed aside and not dealt with appropriately at all.

You probably heard it all before, but report say a house burglary and it will be logged, maybe a visit from a PCSO or Soco and given a ref number, report an incident of say a minor hate-crime (perceived racist words) and you will get a full and priority investigation.

[Orderlimit]

From another site (police)

"Experienced police officers have court-fatigue. No investigating officer will ever make any suggestion to a victim or witness that anything other than complete disappointment will follow a court appearance. Crime has fallen over the last ten years largely because the courts have beaten reporting out of people"