MEPOL 2/4982 police report. Obviously
a key item in trying to find out whether crime is increasing or not
is how the statistics are compiled. In this source, from 1934, Chief
Constables find that their officers are trying to reduce the real
number of crimes reported to them. If this is put right, then crime
figures will appear to rise as this part of the "dark figure"
will decrease.
How does this source question the accuracy of crime figures?
Why do you think police officers played down the amount of crime?
How will putting it right affect the figures?
Put some of the examples you have found
in this Case-Study of a key factor for change affecting crime in the
20th century in your Gallery Worksheet.
The National ArchivesResearch, education & online exhibitionsLearning CurveExhibitionsCrime and Punishment
