“LET’S see crime decreasing” writes Colin Vause (Mailbag February 2). Would he settle for a 9% reduction in total crimes reported to the police in one year? Including cuts of 17% in robbery, 16% in serious violence, 12% in car crime and 8% in domestic burglary? All of which are the official figures released 10 days ago, for England and Wales, for the year ending September, 2006.
Of course he won’t. I confidently predict his reply, in which he’ll refuse to believe the statistics, because we all know a victim (I’ve been burgled myself), and therefore “know” that crime is growing. As a result he will continue to feed the exaggerated fear of crime which is stunting too many people’s lives and no amount of evidence will ever change his mind.
David Griffiths
Edgerton
