Distrust in crime statistics focuses "more on the national than the
local figures, and more on the way the statistics are described, used
and quoted than on the way they are produced", according to a report from the UK Statistics Authority
The report identifies steps to improve trust flowing in particular from consideration of the following:
Improving the reporting of the national (England and Wales) statistics, including: changes to the timing and content of the statistical products; the involvement of outside experts; and aligning Home Office and Ministry of Justice publications in order to provide a more coherent overview of crime information and outcomes later in the criminal justice system.
Whether responsibility for the reporting and/or production of national (England and Wales aggregate) crime statistics should be transferred from the Home Office to an independent body; or whether there is another way of further distancing the statistics from responsibility for the promotion of government policy.
Resolving ongoing debates about whether the national statistics should focus on more serious crime and about whether the list of offences that has to be notified to the Home Office is too long1.
Working with local agencies to help ensure that local statistics on crime, and on the performance of the criminal justice system, are produced and presented to nationally agreed standards.
Improving the way crime statistics are used and quoted inside and outside of government.
The Statistics Authority will be seeking further views on these aspects before finalising its recommendations. As part of this an open meeting to discuss the interim report will be held on Monday 18 January 2010 at the Royal Statistical Society in London.
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