The Prevalence of Arson: Recorded Crime Statistics
Recorded crime statistics are published by the Home Office http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hosb101.pdf
The Home Office publishes recorded crime statistics for England
& Wales.
The statistics for 2000/01 have shown a reduction in the number
of recorded offences for the first time in recent years.
| |
Number of arson offences |
Number cleared up |
Percentage cleared up of total |
|
1995 |
29, 985 |
4, 800 |
16% |
|
1996 |
31, 068 |
4, 870 |
16% |
|
1997 |
31, 516 |
5, 004 |
16% |
|
1998/99** |
47, 273 |
4, 758 |
10% |
|
1999/00** |
53, 794 |
4, 755 |
9% |
|
2000/01** |
52, 818 |
4, 395 |
8.3% |
Source: Home Office Recorded Crime Figures
Notes:
* For further information on definitions see Criminal Statistics,
England & Wales 1998
** Recorded under new rules
In April 1998 the rules under which the police count crimes
changed. therefore figures after 1998 cannot be considered in direct
comparison to those from earlier years. For example, under the
previous rules, the number of offences in 1998/99 would have been
39,636.
Arson has a lower clear up rate than the average for all other
offences. The falls in detection rate in recent years are
likely to have been due, in part to changes in counting, as well as
new guidance on detection being issued in April 1999. Together
these changes are thought to have resulted in more minor arsons
being recorded (fewer of which have been detected) and the exclusion
of detections by means of a prison visit.
In 2000/01, the number of recorded offences of arson fell by
1.8%. This is considered to understate the position because
arson resulting in injury is reported as a violent crime.
Home Office recorded crime statistics for all notifiable offence,
including arson are available online:
|
