BCS : It can be seen that the offences against property, burglary, vehicle crime, other thefts and vandalism comprise 80% of BCS crime, with offences of violence making up the remaining 20%.


Recorded Crime : Comparable property offences comprise 70% of recorded crime, with the remainder made up of violence, fraud & forgery, drugs, sexual offences and other miscellaneous offences.


The percentages are more relevant when we examine some numbers behind them. Recorded Crime Offence Burglary


July 07 – June 08 574,668


Vehicle Crime Damage


Other Theft TOTAL RECORDED CRIME 638,468


1,008,344 1,106,061 4,869,506


July 08 – June 09 584,331


573,537 924,593


1,070,734 4,654,879


Variance +2%


-10% -8% -3% -4%


It does not take too much to imagine that the areas with the greatest scope of manipulation are those that contain the largest numbers containing offences against property, burglary, vehicle crime, damage and other theft. Together they account for 70% of recorded crime.


The BCS confirms that as much as 50% of crime is not reported, either through no confidence that anything can be done, or because the loss sustained does not justify an insurance claim (where this applies). High premium increases are levied once claims are made, and many policyholders weigh this against the value of items stolen/damaged, resulting in more unreported matters. The fact that they are not reported does not mean the offence did not occur, it was just not brought to the attention of the police.


Front line officers report that offences when reported are commonly “juggled” into lesser categories, on the instruction of senior officers. For example, a burglary, where entry has been gained, but nothing reported as stolen, may be relegated to other theft. Car keys stolen during burglary, where the car is then


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