AC1.6 EVALUATE METHODS OF COLLECTING INFORMATION ABOUT CRIME
6mark
Clear and detailed evaluation of two methods/sources of information used to collect
information about crime with clear evidence of reasoning. Detailed and relevant reference to
specific sources.
Why do we research methods for collecting crime? -
(ac1.6) We collect statistics about crime for multiple reasons. One reason is
that it is an amazing resource in helping determine a trend in offending, so that
the police can monitor and control accordingly; reducing crime. Another
reason for collecting statistics is to be able to correctly inform police
departments of crimes in all areas; therefore, highlighting the areas requiring
more policing than others. This allows police to protect potential victims, as
well as exploring the impact of what they do regularly and 'see if they work'.
There are two main ways in recording crime statistics: Police-recorded crime
(Home Office Statistics) and victim-recorded crime (CSEW; Crime Survey for
England & Wales).
Home Office Statistics -
(ac1.6) One way in which crime statistics are recorded, is by; The Home Office
(government department responsible for running the police) Statistics - which
provides police-recorded crime. Meaning that; there are published, timely and
accurately crimes (migration, policing, alcohol, drugs, crime, police workforce
etc), unravelled by the police force. These recorded statistics are available to
the public as they are not confidential reports. The information on the crimes
report on 3 areas: Offence type; what happened. Geography; where it
happened. And time period; when it happened. Therefore, the public can
easily obtain knowledge of the frequency of specific crimes, and the external
and internal objectives of each crime. For a crime to be included in the
statistics published by the Home Office it must; be detected, be reported, be
recorded, and the suspect must be convicted!
Disadvantages of Home Office Statistics -
(ac1.6) Although the Home Office Statistics are a resourceful insight in many
ways, there are some disadvantages. Since all crimes recorded must be;
detected, reported, recorded and conviction of the suspect, many crimes go
unpublished by the Home Office, and are excluded in the official statistics. This
is because there are many variations in the process of recording, and there are
many factors that do not happen ideally: the victim may not be aware that a
6mark
Clear and detailed evaluation of two methods/sources of information used to collect
information about crime with clear evidence of reasoning. Detailed and relevant reference to
specific sources.
Why do we research methods for collecting crime? -
(ac1.6) We collect statistics about crime for multiple reasons. One reason is
that it is an amazing resource in helping determine a trend in offending, so that
the police can monitor and control accordingly; reducing crime. Another
reason for collecting statistics is to be able to correctly inform police
departments of crimes in all areas; therefore, highlighting the areas requiring
more policing than others. This allows police to protect potential victims, as
well as exploring the impact of what they do regularly and 'see if they work'.
There are two main ways in recording crime statistics: Police-recorded crime
(Home Office Statistics) and victim-recorded crime (CSEW; Crime Survey for
England & Wales).
Home Office Statistics -
(ac1.6) One way in which crime statistics are recorded, is by; The Home Office
(government department responsible for running the police) Statistics - which
provides police-recorded crime. Meaning that; there are published, timely and
accurately crimes (migration, policing, alcohol, drugs, crime, police workforce
etc), unravelled by the police force. These recorded statistics are available to
the public as they are not confidential reports. The information on the crimes
report on 3 areas: Offence type; what happened. Geography; where it
happened. And time period; when it happened. Therefore, the public can
easily obtain knowledge of the frequency of specific crimes, and the external
and internal objectives of each crime. For a crime to be included in the
statistics published by the Home Office it must; be detected, be reported, be
recorded, and the suspect must be convicted!
Disadvantages of Home Office Statistics -
(ac1.6) Although the Home Office Statistics are a resourceful insight in many
ways, there are some disadvantages. Since all crimes recorded must be;
detected, reported, recorded and conviction of the suspect, many crimes go
unpublished by the Home Office, and are excluded in the official statistics. This
is because there are many variations in the process of recording, and there are
many factors that do not happen ideally: the victim may not be aware that a
