Crime Could be Worse than Official Statistics Claim

Official statistics might be underestimating the true level of crime in Britain, according to a recent MORI survey for the Reader's Digest. Almost half (47%) of the British public say they have been victims of crime, yet 44 per cent of these are failing to report the crime to the police.

People do not report crimes for various reasons, mainly because they think the crime is too trivial (49%), the police will not do anything (30%), that reporting the crime isn't worth the effort (18%) or that the criminal won't get caught (16%). The survey findings indicate a worrying level of acceptance of crime in everyday life.

Two-thirds (65%) of the public reject the idea that there will be less crime in the future as a result of politicians promises about getting tough on crime. In addition, almost nine in ten (87%) people say their concern over crime has increased in the last few years.

Technical details

MORI interviewed a representative sample of 2,027 adults aged 15+ face-to-face, in home across Great Britain. Interviewing took place between 6-9 December 1996.