Murder in England & Wales.

[Sam Slater]

9? years old, but a decent comparison of London murder rates compared to other cities in Europe and the USA. London was 6th lowest.



Though the above was 9 years old, looking at the link below shows that recent murder rates are around the same as they were when the bbc link above was printed, so in comparison to other -supposed- safer European capitals, London must still be quite low in homicide crime.



According to the Guardian link below, from 2007, the murder rate dropped by 9% over the previous year, and gun crime was down 14%. The downside is vandalism and drug offences have risen.



The link below from the Times Online website, dated 2005 shows that just 2 years ago, your were more likely to be murdered in Finland, Spain, Italy, France and Norway than in England & Wales. Germany was just 0.02% lower and considered one of the safest places in Europe when it comes to homicide. Unfortunately for our Scottish cousins, it doesn't look so good.



I searched a broad range of media (bbc/guardian/times) as well as an official crime survey for those statistics, to make sure the stats weren't all from one biased source. The perception across Europe and the UK is that we're one of the most dangerous West European countries. That perception is based on obvious media sensationalism. We think Europe is safe because we don't access European media as much as they do ours. (out of sight, out of mind).

Murder rates between 1900 and 1954 were actually on a gradual decline -world wars aside- and started to increase from then on. Between 47 and 54 the average murder rate in Britain was around 3 murders per million people! About 70% lower than today.

A steady rise since the 70's has sped up since 1995 but we have to take into account that the steady rise is most definitely attributed to dna evidence and fingerprinting. 30 years ago, lots of murders were probably never recorded as crimes at all. We must hold better detection rates and investigations in mind when comparing previous decades. Lets also remember that the population of the UK has increased by around 20% since the start of the 60's. So even a 20% rise in murder rates would mean actual stability per capita.

Please remember.

Media have perfected the techniques of getting emotional responses and sensationalism. They have the power to calm and infuriate an nation within a 30 min broadcast, or a few written down articles. Without this power, media moguls would still be living in modest, semi-detached houses and have to watch their bank balances, instead of luxury yachts.

Also, it's a well known phenomenon that the longer time goes, the better past events seem. Time really does heal all ills. I'm sure there were 40 year olds in 1900 that exclaimed the deterioration of society compared to their own youth. In fact, I'm sure I remember a Shakespearian play pertaining to this?

[diplodocus]

i've already posted some of those stats, people aren't interested in reality, it gives then nothing to moan about

[Sam Slater]

Aye, we all like a moan....but I like reality too! !laugh!

[Pervert]

If it's not in 160pt type across the front of the Mail, some folk just don't want to know.

[Sam Slater]

They were 4 different sources. Do you know a bigger story than rising crime? - A government cover-up.

The British system of government is one of the most open to media scrutiny in the world. If our system massages and corrupts real figures, what of our neighbours who have a history of governments with more influential power over their media (Spain/Italy)?

Unless you assume only the British government is capable of massaging figures and corruption, Britain is still one of the safest places in the world when it comes to rape, abduction and murder.

Slag Britain off for car crime, or house burglary if you want because you'd be nearer the truth. Unfortunately, quite a few are picking the government up on something we're actually doing quite well in compared to the rest of the world!

[Trumpton]

Young Prof has researched the archives thoroughly and has come up with an interesting series of statistics.