fallingblock
Member
Agricola, Your "Sun" newspaper seems nearly as factual as
"The Washington Post"
"A Nation Stalked by Fear"
By TREVOR KAVANAGH
Political Editor
BRITAIN is living in fear as crime soars across the nation, two damning
reports revealed last night.
Official figures showed that rapes and street violence were rocketing —
despite attempts by Home Secretary David Blunkett to twist the
statistics and play down the crisis.
And a survey proved that many Sun readers were terrified of falling
victim to thugs, muggers, aggressive drunks and junkies.
Police numbers disclosed that violent crime leapt 22 per cent last
year, with female rape increasing by 27 per cent — from 8,990 to 11,441.
Overall, police recorded 5,899,450 crimes compared with 5,525,316 the
previous year.
That represented a RISE of 7 per cent. But the Home Office claimed
instead there had been a 3 per cent FALL because the figures were inflated by changes to the classification of crimes and the way they were recorded.
The disturbing statistics showed:
Murder, manslaughter and killing of infants JUMPED by 18 per cent, from
891 to 1,048. Violence against individuals ROSE 28 per cent from 650,474
cases to 835,101.
Wounding and violence involving weapons was up 11 per cent from 28,796
cases to 32,104. Offences under the Firearms Act LEAPED from 3,247 to 3,572. Assaults on police officers were UP 12 per cent to 33,742.
Blunkett ... played down crisis
Sexual offences ROSE 17 per cent from 41,427 to 48,654, including a
sharp INCREASE — 13 per cent — in gross indecency with children.
Child abduction cases were UP 45 per cent, from 584 to 846. Cruelty or
neglect of children was UP 34 per cent to 4,109 cases.
Joyriders killed 55 people compared to 35 the year before, a 57 per
cent RISE. Deaths by dangerous, careless or drunken driving were UP 12 per cent from 370 to 413. Deaths caused by car thieves rocketed by 57 per cent, from 35 to 55.
Indecent assaults on women ROSE 14 per cent to 24,811. Male rape was UP 17 per cent and indecent assaults against men up 14 per cent to 4,096.
Drug offences INCREASED 16 per cent to 141,116 including a 17 per cent
rise in possession and a 14 per cent rise in trafficking.
There were 1,109,370 recorded incidents of criminal damage — a RISE of
4 per cent.
And there was an INCREASE of 23 per cent in blackmail, 14 per cent in
kidnap, 31 per cent in immigration offences and 151 per cent in obscene
publications.
Worryingly, the detection rate by police has FALLEN — from 31 per cent
after Labour’s first year in office to 26 per cent last year. That figure is
almost HALVED in London, the crime capital of Britain where detection
is only 14 per cent.
The few encouraging elements in the figures showed that robberies were
DOWN nationally to 108,045, a fall of 11 per cent. Burglary levels remained
virtually UNCHANGED with 888,951 last year. Vehicle theft was DOWN 1
per cent, to 975,924.
Last night’s statistics followed the revelation in January that the use
of firearms was rampant.
A report showed a 35 per cent rise in gun crime, to 9,974 offences.
And officials admitted yesterday that possession of firearms, including
sub-machine guns, was “out of control†in Birmingham, Manchester and
three London boroughs.
Despite the blizzard of new Home Office figures covering England and
Wales, Mr Blunkett was adamant that the crime rate had actually fallen.
He said the new counting system — the National Crime Recording Standard
(NCRS) — included ALL reported incidents, even if they did not lead to
police action.
And ministers insisted the murder rate appeared distorted through the
inclusion of 172 victims of evil GP Harold Shipman — Britain’s worst
serial killer.
Mr Blunkett said: “I am encouraged by figures which show overall crime
is continuing to fall and the risk of being a victim remains at its lowest
for more than 20 years.
“I am particularly pleased we have reduced robbery while keeping
vehicle crime and burglaries at historic lows.
“Since 1997, overall crime has fallen by 25 per cent and the chance of
being a victim of crime has fallen from 40 per cent to 27 per cent.â€
He went on: “Overall violent crime is stable.
“As a result of the new National Crime Recording Standard, there has
been a considerable increase in recording of low-level thuggery and offences involving no serious physical injury, such as a minor scuffle.
“This has driven up the category referred to as ‘violent crime’.
“Two-thirds of police-recorded violent crimes involve no serious
physical injury to the victim.â€
Under the NCRS system, the adjusted figures suggest violent crime has
risen by only 2 per cent compared with raw data showing a 22 per cent rise.
But attempts to shrug off incidents of violence which do not involve
injury will infuriate victims intimidated by louts roaming the streets.
Even Home Office statistics chief Prof Paul Wiles admitted the public
might be suspicious of the official interpretation of the numbers.
He said: “I am aware that we could be accused of trying to fiddle the
figures. I do not wish to be accused of that.â€
Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin said the rise in violence was
extremely worrying.
He added: “Sadly, the figures will come as no surprise to the millions
of people up and down the country who suffer daily from crime, or the fear
of crime, much of it drug related.
“The problem is that the Government’s initiatives and vast bureaucracy
aren’t making any significant impact. What we need is a huge boost to police numbers and a coherent effort to get young people off drugs and off the conveyor belt to crime.â€
Mr Blunkett had backed his claim that crime was falling with last
night’s results of the controversial British Crime Survey.
It was a Home Office poll of 40,000 adults asked about their perception
of crime. But it did not include murder, crime against juveniles or incidents
involving commercial property, such as arson.
According to the BCS, crime against adults in England and Wales
decreased by 2 per cent, with a 25 per cent overall fall in the last five years.
However, it showed that Sun readers were aware that crime was
increasing.
It said: “Of those who read tabloid newspapers, 43 per cent thought the
national crime rate had increased a lot, compared to 26 per cent of
broadsheet readers.
“Over a third of all respondents — 38 per cent — believe the national
crime rate has risen a lot.
“Fifty-three per cent thought there had been an increase in their local
area.†The summary continued: Seventeen per cent of people who read
tabloids were very worried about being a victim of physical attack by a
stranger, compared to only six per cent of broadsheet readers.â€
The explanation is that many Sun readers, who include hardworking
families living in inner city areas, are witnesses to, or victims of, violence
and other crimes.
The report said: “Not surprisingly, those living in areas where
victimisation risks are relatively high are more likely to say they are
worried about crime.“Those who perceive high levels of disorder — teenagers hanging around, vandalism or drug misuse — are more concerned about their own safety.â€The poll also found that almost one in three — 29 per cent — “never walk alone in their area after darkâ€.
Confidence in the criminal justice system and satisfaction with police
among victims is also falling. Only 39 per cent believe the system brings criminals to justice, down from 44 per cent, while 31 per cent think it reduces the crime rate (36 per cent previously). Only 21 per cent say it deals effectively with young offenders, compared with 25 per cent the previous year. People in suburbs and housing estates are sick of vandalism, graffiti, noisy neighbours, loitering gangs, drug dealers and drunks. The report said: “Residents in inner city areas or council estates felt
particularly vulnerable. “Women are far more worried about violent crime than men.â€
Help the Aged charity told The Sun last night: “For older people, the
fear of crime can have a ruinous effect on quality of their lives.
“This is not just the case in un-down inner city neighbourhoods.
“In rural areas, the impact of the fear of crime can be just as
damaging, particularly in the context of a large apparent leap in rural crime.â€
"The Washington Post"
"A Nation Stalked by Fear"
By TREVOR KAVANAGH
Political Editor
BRITAIN is living in fear as crime soars across the nation, two damning
reports revealed last night.
Official figures showed that rapes and street violence were rocketing —
despite attempts by Home Secretary David Blunkett to twist the
statistics and play down the crisis.
And a survey proved that many Sun readers were terrified of falling
victim to thugs, muggers, aggressive drunks and junkies.
Police numbers disclosed that violent crime leapt 22 per cent last
year, with female rape increasing by 27 per cent — from 8,990 to 11,441.
Overall, police recorded 5,899,450 crimes compared with 5,525,316 the
previous year.
That represented a RISE of 7 per cent. But the Home Office claimed
instead there had been a 3 per cent FALL because the figures were inflated by changes to the classification of crimes and the way they were recorded.
The disturbing statistics showed:
Murder, manslaughter and killing of infants JUMPED by 18 per cent, from
891 to 1,048. Violence against individuals ROSE 28 per cent from 650,474
cases to 835,101.
Wounding and violence involving weapons was up 11 per cent from 28,796
cases to 32,104. Offences under the Firearms Act LEAPED from 3,247 to 3,572. Assaults on police officers were UP 12 per cent to 33,742.
Blunkett ... played down crisis
Sexual offences ROSE 17 per cent from 41,427 to 48,654, including a
sharp INCREASE — 13 per cent — in gross indecency with children.
Child abduction cases were UP 45 per cent, from 584 to 846. Cruelty or
neglect of children was UP 34 per cent to 4,109 cases.
Joyriders killed 55 people compared to 35 the year before, a 57 per
cent RISE. Deaths by dangerous, careless or drunken driving were UP 12 per cent from 370 to 413. Deaths caused by car thieves rocketed by 57 per cent, from 35 to 55.
Indecent assaults on women ROSE 14 per cent to 24,811. Male rape was UP 17 per cent and indecent assaults against men up 14 per cent to 4,096.
Drug offences INCREASED 16 per cent to 141,116 including a 17 per cent
rise in possession and a 14 per cent rise in trafficking.
There were 1,109,370 recorded incidents of criminal damage — a RISE of
4 per cent.
And there was an INCREASE of 23 per cent in blackmail, 14 per cent in
kidnap, 31 per cent in immigration offences and 151 per cent in obscene
publications.
Worryingly, the detection rate by police has FALLEN — from 31 per cent
after Labour’s first year in office to 26 per cent last year. That figure is
almost HALVED in London, the crime capital of Britain where detection
is only 14 per cent.
The few encouraging elements in the figures showed that robberies were
DOWN nationally to 108,045, a fall of 11 per cent. Burglary levels remained
virtually UNCHANGED with 888,951 last year. Vehicle theft was DOWN 1
per cent, to 975,924.
Last night’s statistics followed the revelation in January that the use
of firearms was rampant.
A report showed a 35 per cent rise in gun crime, to 9,974 offences.
And officials admitted yesterday that possession of firearms, including
sub-machine guns, was “out of control†in Birmingham, Manchester and
three London boroughs.
Despite the blizzard of new Home Office figures covering England and
Wales, Mr Blunkett was adamant that the crime rate had actually fallen.
He said the new counting system — the National Crime Recording Standard
(NCRS) — included ALL reported incidents, even if they did not lead to
police action.
And ministers insisted the murder rate appeared distorted through the
inclusion of 172 victims of evil GP Harold Shipman — Britain’s worst
serial killer.
Mr Blunkett said: “I am encouraged by figures which show overall crime
is continuing to fall and the risk of being a victim remains at its lowest
for more than 20 years.
“I am particularly pleased we have reduced robbery while keeping
vehicle crime and burglaries at historic lows.
“Since 1997, overall crime has fallen by 25 per cent and the chance of
being a victim of crime has fallen from 40 per cent to 27 per cent.â€
He went on: “Overall violent crime is stable.
“As a result of the new National Crime Recording Standard, there has
been a considerable increase in recording of low-level thuggery and offences involving no serious physical injury, such as a minor scuffle.
“This has driven up the category referred to as ‘violent crime’.
“Two-thirds of police-recorded violent crimes involve no serious
physical injury to the victim.â€
Under the NCRS system, the adjusted figures suggest violent crime has
risen by only 2 per cent compared with raw data showing a 22 per cent rise.
But attempts to shrug off incidents of violence which do not involve
injury will infuriate victims intimidated by louts roaming the streets.
Even Home Office statistics chief Prof Paul Wiles admitted the public
might be suspicious of the official interpretation of the numbers.
He said: “I am aware that we could be accused of trying to fiddle the
figures. I do not wish to be accused of that.â€
Shadow Home Secretary Oliver Letwin said the rise in violence was
extremely worrying.
He added: “Sadly, the figures will come as no surprise to the millions
of people up and down the country who suffer daily from crime, or the fear
of crime, much of it drug related.
“The problem is that the Government’s initiatives and vast bureaucracy
aren’t making any significant impact. What we need is a huge boost to police numbers and a coherent effort to get young people off drugs and off the conveyor belt to crime.â€
Mr Blunkett had backed his claim that crime was falling with last
night’s results of the controversial British Crime Survey.
It was a Home Office poll of 40,000 adults asked about their perception
of crime. But it did not include murder, crime against juveniles or incidents
involving commercial property, such as arson.
According to the BCS, crime against adults in England and Wales
decreased by 2 per cent, with a 25 per cent overall fall in the last five years.
However, it showed that Sun readers were aware that crime was
increasing.
It said: “Of those who read tabloid newspapers, 43 per cent thought the
national crime rate had increased a lot, compared to 26 per cent of
broadsheet readers.
“Over a third of all respondents — 38 per cent — believe the national
crime rate has risen a lot.
“Fifty-three per cent thought there had been an increase in their local
area.†The summary continued: Seventeen per cent of people who read
tabloids were very worried about being a victim of physical attack by a
stranger, compared to only six per cent of broadsheet readers.â€
The explanation is that many Sun readers, who include hardworking
families living in inner city areas, are witnesses to, or victims of, violence
and other crimes.
The report said: “Not surprisingly, those living in areas where
victimisation risks are relatively high are more likely to say they are
worried about crime.“Those who perceive high levels of disorder — teenagers hanging around, vandalism or drug misuse — are more concerned about their own safety.â€The poll also found that almost one in three — 29 per cent — “never walk alone in their area after darkâ€.
Confidence in the criminal justice system and satisfaction with police
among victims is also falling. Only 39 per cent believe the system brings criminals to justice, down from 44 per cent, while 31 per cent think it reduces the crime rate (36 per cent previously). Only 21 per cent say it deals effectively with young offenders, compared with 25 per cent the previous year. People in suburbs and housing estates are sick of vandalism, graffiti, noisy neighbours, loitering gangs, drug dealers and drunks. The report said: “Residents in inner city areas or council estates felt
particularly vulnerable. “Women are far more worried about violent crime than men.â€
Help the Aged charity told The Sun last night: “For older people, the
fear of crime can have a ruinous effect on quality of their lives.
“This is not just the case in un-down inner city neighbourhoods.
“In rural areas, the impact of the fear of crime can be just as
damaging, particularly in the context of a large apparent leap in rural crime.â€
:banghead: 
