Crime Stats

The crime stats for 2006 are out and as usual, the news is not great. The total amount of crime has increased but that is not a useful figure anyway because it treats an under age drinking or cannabis offence as the same as a murder or rape. No one would claim that a country with 10% more rapes and 5% less under age drinking offences is getting better.

So I always look at the two most important categories – violence and sexual offences, and two or three of the more serious offences. Note population growth last year was only 1% and has been only 8% since 1999.

Violent Offences are up 5% in 2006, and have increased by 28% since 1999.

Sexual Offences are up 8% in 2006, and have increased by 17% since 1999.

Grievous Assaults are up 7% in 2006, and have increased by 65% since 1999.

Kidnappings and Abductions are up 30% in 2006, and have increased by 70% since 1999.

Sexual Attacks are up 14% in 2006, and have increased by 25% since 1999.

The Police say a new computer system has lead to some of the increase, but the trend since 1999 has been consistent – increases in the most serious categories.