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"Are you feeling safer? You should be, according to the latest national crime statistics that show a decline in offences. But why is that a different set of statistics show that more people are saying they are the victim of crime? Tthe Australian Bureau of Statistics released figures compiled by Australian police forces showing the number of victims declined in most offence categories in 2005, compared to 2004. The number of victims of homicide and related offences decreased by 10%, while victims of motor vehicle theft and unlawful entry with intent both decreased by 9%. Other theft (which includes theft from people, retail premises and motor vehicles) decreased by 7%.
But the ABS also conducts something called the Crime and Safety Survey, in which it goes straight to individuals and households and asks whether they have been the victim of crime and whether the crimes were reported to police. In the most recent survey, conducted during April to July 2005, the incidence of people experiencing assault increased from 4.3% of the population in 1998 to 4.8% in 2005, Home break-ins and motor vehicle theft were marginally down – nowhere near the extent shown in the official police statistics.
And that doesn’t take into account a significant under-reporting of some types of crimes.
According to the National Crime and Safety Survey, only 74% of victims of break-ins and 90% of victims of motor vehicle theft reported the crimes to police.
The under reporting was far more dramatic in robbery, where just 38% of victims told police. And when it came to assault, only 31% of victims officially reported the crimes.
The ABS warns that caution should be exercised when comparing official police crime figures with the victim survey results, as the two are compiled using different methods. But the obvious under reporting of certain crimes must leave a question mark over the figures so readily wielded by politicians and chief police commissioners when assuring us that Australia is a safer place. [Brief]
