Dear editor,
Read: Reduction in crime figures is sign of “a plan coming together” says Bedfordshire chief constable
While I welcome the great efforts Bedfordshire police are making to fight crime across the County, figures based on crimes reported to the police are not a reliable measure of crime.
Studies have shown that as few as 4 in 10 crimes are reported to the police and this varies considerably over place and time.
The most reliable way of measuring crime is usually the annual Crime Survey for England and Wales conducted for the Office of National Statistics (ONS). I say ‘usually’, because the Survey has been severely disrupted by the Covid pandemic.
So the truth is, we don’t really have a clear and reliable picture of what is happening to crime – across England and Wales or here in Bedfordshire.
Professor Colin Talbot
University of Manchester (Professor of Government – Emeritus)
Bedford
Letters published do not reflect the views of the Bedford Independent. If you
would like to respond to any issues raised, please email
letters@bedfordindependent.co.uk.
