About the data
Contents
Crime and Policing Comparator – General Points
Recorded crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB)
Perceptions of ASB
ASB Incidents
Quality of service
Force finances
Workforce numbers
Crime and Policing Comparator – General Points
Population
City of London population
England and Wales
Trends over time
Timeliness of data
Population
Most rates have been calculated per 1,000 or per head of population. Population figures used are mid-2009 population estimates, estimated by the Office for National Statistics and based on the 2001 Census. These give the number of people who are usually resident within each police force area. Some forces (such as West Midlands Police and the Metropolitan Police Service) have a large transient population, as they have more commuters and visitors entering their force area than leaving each day. Other forces (such as Essex Police) have negative transient populations, as they have more people commuting to or visiting other force areas than they have entering each day. Transient population figures have not been used for most forces as up-to-date estimates are not available, and because the effect of the transient population on crime rates is limited due to comparatively large resident populations.
However, we have used transient figures for the City of London. See ‘City of London population’ below for the reasons behind this.
City of London population
For all forces other than the City of London Police, most rates have been calculated using mid-2009 resident population estimates. For the City of London Police, rates have been calculated using the transient population. As the resident population of the City of London force area is very low compared with its transient population, figures given per 1,000 residents would be unrepresentative of the true picture in the area. Therefore transient population figures have been used, to take into account the people commuting to and visiting the force area each day (as well as those leaving the force area each day). These figures have been sourced from the Department for Communities and Local Government, using results from the 2001 Census.
England and Wales
These are the figures for England and Wales as a whole. They are calculated from England and Wales totals. For example, the sum of all crimes from all forces in England and Wales (excluding the British Transport Police) was divided by the total population of England and Wales to give the national all crime rate.
Trends over time
Where possible, data has been provided for the last three years. The way crime is classified has changed over time for some categories, so it is not possible to present crime data from before 2008/09.
In addition, trends over time have not been shown for any cost breakdowns. This is because the breakdowns of cost data for 2009/10 and 2010/11 have not been subjected to the same rigorous checking as the 2011/12 estimates.
Timeliness of data
The latest published data available at the time of publication has been provided for all indicators. For some indicators this is data for the year ending March 2011; for others, it is for the year ending June 2011. For crime indicators, data has been provided for the year ending September 2011. For the cost and workforce indicators, data has been provided for the financial year 2011/12. The period covered by the data is stated in each chart.
Recorded crime and ASB
The Crime and Policing Comparator’s Recorded crime and ASB category includes all police-recorded crime, along with two ASB indicators.
Crime codes
Crime tree
All Crimes – source of the data
All crimes
All victim-based crimes
All violence
Violence with injury
Violence without injury
All sexual offences
Rape
Sexual offences excluding rape
All violence/all sexual offences
All stealing
All burglary
Domestic burglary
Non-domestic burglary
All robbery
Personal robbery
Business robbery
Vehicle crime
Shoplifting
Other stealing
Criminal damage and arson
All non-victim based crimes
Public disorder
All drug offences
Drug trafficking
Possession/use of drugs
Disrupted crimes
Public disorder/disrupted crimes
Other non-victim based crimes
Fraud and forgery
Disrupted crimes/fraud and forgery
All Crimes – source of the data
This site includes crime data based on police-recorded crimes at both national and police force area level. Crime is shown as ‘rate per 1,000 population’, which is equal to the number of police-recorded offences per 1,000 population resident in the area in question.
Crime rates are presented either as individual force crime rates over time compared with one other force (or with the England and Wales crime rate), or by showing the latest year’s crime rate in one force compared to all other forces in England and Wales.
When presenting the rate of crime for an individual force over time the three years ending September 2009, September 2010 and September 2011 are shown. The way crime is classified has changed over time for some categories, so for consistency we have not presented crime rates from before 2008/09. Force crime rates over time can either be compared to another force of your choice or to the England and Wales rate over the same period for the chosen crime type.
When comparing the crime rates in one force to all other forces in England and Wales, the year ending September 2011 is shown. The England and Wales crime rate for the chosen crime type is also displayed for comparison.
Source of crime data: Home Office Statistics data returns from forces. These data are National Statistics.
Crime codes
View the full list of crime codes included in the Crime and Policing Comparator.
Crime tree
This crime tree shows you how the crime categories are organised.
All crimes
All notifiable crimes recorded by the police. Notifiable crimes include all offences that could possibly be tried by jury (plus some less serious offences, such as minor theft that would not usually be tried by jury) together with a few additional, closely related offences, such as assault without injury.
All victim-based crimes
All police-recorded crimes where there is a direct victim. This victim could be an individual, an organisation or corporate body. This category includes violent crimes directed at a particular individual or individuals, sexual offences, stealing crimes, criminal damage and arson.
All violence
All police-recorded crimes of violence committed against a person, whether or not an injury has incurred. Possession of weapons and public order offences are excluded.
Violence with injury
Police-recorded crimes of violence committed against a victim where an injury is inflicted. This includes murder, manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving and both serious and less serious wounding. This excludes possession of items to endanger life.
Violence without injury
Police-recorded crimes of violence where there is no injury to the victim, including harassment, endangering life (where no actual injury occurs), threats to kill and assaults without injury (common assault). This excludes public order and possession offences.
All sexual offences
All police-recorded sexual offences, including sexual or indecent assault, sexual grooming, trafficking for sexual exploitation, and rape. This category excludes prostitution-related offences, which are included in ‘other non victim-based’ crimes.
It should be noted that due to the complex nature of these crimes, particularly rape, care should be taken when comparing crime rates across forces as there are many factors which can affect the level of recorded crime. For example, victims being encouraged to report crimes and cultural differences.
Rape
Police-recorded crimes of rape and attempted rape.
It should be noted that due to the complex nature of rape, care should be taken when comparing crime rates across forces as there are many factors which can affect the level of recorded crime. For example, victims being encouraged to report crimes and cultural differences.
Sexual offences excluding rape
Police-recorded sexual offences excluding rape. This group of crimes includes sexual or indecent assault, sexual grooming and trafficking for sexual exploitation but excludes prostitution-related offences, which are included in ‘other non victim-based’ crime.
All violence/all sexual offences
The data shown in the ‘Violent crime’ category on police.uk combines the ‘All violence’ plus ‘All sexual offences’ categories used here in the Crime and Policing Comparator. This is to help protect victim confidentiality, since the police.uk maps are showing offences at street level. Because the Crime and Policing Comparator is showing force-level data, we are able to separate out the two categories.
All stealing
All police-recorded crime where property or goods are stolen or there is an attempt to steal such items. This can be either through the use of force or the threat of force or other means. This includes offences of burglary, robbery, vehicle crime, shoplifting and other stealing. It does not include crimes of fraud or forgery.
Stealing is referred to as ‘acquisitive crime’ in Home Office publications.
All burglary
All police-recorded burglary, both from a dwelling (‘domestic’) and not from a dwelling (‘non-domestic’). Burglary is where a trespasser enters (or attempts to enter) any building to steal or commit damage.
Domestic burglary
Police-recorded burglary from a dwelling, ie where a trespasser enters (or attempts to enter) a domestic building such as a house or garage to steal or commit damage.
Non-domestic burglary
Police-recorded burglary not from a dwelling, ie where a trespasser enters (or attempts to enter) a non-domestic building such as a shop or office to steal or commit damage.
All robbery
All police-recorded robbery. Robbery is where an offender steals or attempts to steal from an individual, business or other corporate body using force or the threat of force.
Personal robbery
Police-recorded robbery crimes where an offender steals or attempts to steal something from an individual using force or the threat of force.
Business robbery
Police-recorded robbery crimes where an offender steals or attempts to steal something belonging to a business or other corporate body by using force or the threat of force.
Vehicle crime
Police-recorded theft or unauthorised taking of a vehicle, thefts from a vehicle and interference with a motor vehicle.
Unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle involves someone taking a motor vehicle (either for their own use or another’s use) without having the consent of the owner or other lawful authority. A person is guilty of theft of a motor vehicle if he or she dishonestly takes a motor vehicle belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving the owner of it.
Interference with a motor vehicle involves a person interfering with a motor vehicle or trailer, or with anything carried in or on it, with the intention of committing theft of/from the motor vehicle or trailer (or part of it), or taking and driving the vehicle away without consent. It also includes offences where a person gets on to a vehicle on a road or parking place provided by the local authority or tampers with the brake or other part of its mechanism. Where there is evidence to show intent to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle, an offence of attempted theft of a motor vehicle is recorded; where this is not the case and the vehicle has been searched, an offence of attempted theft from a motor vehicle is recorded.
Shoplifting
Police-recorded offences of theft from public areas of shops or stalls, other than by employees.
Other stealing
Police-recorded crimes of theft including theft from a person (such as pick pocketing and snatching personal property), theft of mail, theft of a pedal cycle, theft by an employee and theft in a house (where entry is not gained by trespassing). This excludes burglary, robbery, vehicle crime, handling stolen goods and shoplifting.
Criminal damage and arson
All police-recorded crimes where the offender has damaged or destroyed something, including by fire.
All non victim-based crimes
All police-recorded crimes where there are no direct individual victims. This includes public disorder, drug offences, possession of weapons and other items, handling stolen goods and other miscellaneous offences committed against the state.
The rates for some crime types within this category could be increased by proactive police activity, for example searching people and finding them in possession of drugs or weapons.
Public disorder
Police-recorded public disorder crimes, including causing public fear, alarm or distress, rioting, violent disorder or treason.
All drug offences
All police-recorded drug offences, including trafficking and possession.
The level of recorded crime for this category can be an indication of how police are enforcing these types of crime compared with other forces as well as of actual crime levels. For instance, a force might have set a priority to bring down drug offences, and so be searching and catching more people, and therefore recording more crimes.
Drug trafficking
Police-recorded offences of drug trafficking, including the manufacture, supply and unlawful exportation of illegal or controlled drugs.
The level of recorded crime for this category can be an indication of how police are enforcing these types of crime compared with other forces, as well as of actual crime levels. For instance, a force might have set a priority to bring down drug offences, and so be searching and catching more people, and therefore recording more crimes.
Possession/use of drugs
Police-recorded offences of drug possession (personal use) and other drug offences, including permitting premises to be used for unlawful purposes, unlawfully selling intoxicating substances (e.g. solvents) and unlawful prescriptions. This excludes trafficking offences.
The level of recorded crime for this category can be an indication of how police are enforcing these types of crime compared with other forces, as well as of actual crime levels. For instance, a force might have set a priority to bring down drug offences, and so be searching and catching more people, and therefore recording more crimes.
Disrupted crimes
Police-recorded offences including possession of concealed weapons and other dangerous items, going equipped to steal and handling stolen goods.
The level of recorded crime for this category can be an indication of how active police are in enforcing these types of crime compared with other forces, as well as of actual crime levels. For instance, a force might have set a priority to bring down the number of knife crimes, and so be searching and catching more people, and therefore recording more crimes.
Public disorder/disrupted crimes
The data shown in the ‘Public disorder/weapons’ category on police.uk combines the ‘Public disorder’ plus elements of the ‘Disrupted crimes’ categories used here in the Crime and Policing Comparator. We have separated out these categories for ease of comparison.
Other non victim-based crimes
This category consists of police-recorded non victim-based miscellaneous crimes such as perverting the course of justice, dangerous driving, bankruptcy and insolvency, bail offences, health and safety offences and prostitution-related offences.
The level of recorded crime for this category can be an indication of how police are enforcing these types of crime compared with other forces, as well as of actual crime levels. For instance, a force might have set a priority to bring down dangerous driving offences, and so be catching more people, and therefore recording more crimes.
Fraud and forgery
Offences of fraud and forgery, both as recorded by police and as passed to the police by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.
Many incidents are reported directly to the bank or financial institution concerned, who may investigate the matter themselves. They generally only refer on to the police those cases where direct action can then be taken to pursue an offender. As a result, the police-recorded crime for this type of offence represents only part of the picture.
Disrupted crimes/fraud and forgery
The data shown in the ‘Other crime’ category on police.uk combines the other non-victim based group, ‘Fraud and forgery’ plus elements of the ‘Disrupted crimes’ categories used here in the Crime and Policing Comparator. We have separated out these categories for ease of comparison.
Perceptions of anti-social behaviour
% perceive a high level of ASB – source of the data
% perceive a high level of ASB – time period
% perceive a high level of ASB – definition
% perceive a high level of ASB – data limitations
% perceive a high level of ASB – confidence interval
% perceive a high level of ASB – statistical significance
% perceive a high level of ASB – source of the data
These data come from the British Crime Survey conducted by the Home Office. Nearly 50,000 people aged 16 or over, living in private households in England and Wales, are interviewed every year.
These data are National Statistics.
% perceive a high level of ASB – time period
Data have been provided for the years ending March 2009, March 2010 and March 2011.
% perceive a high level of ASB – definition
The perceptions of anti-social behaviour data provided in the Crime and Policing Comparator represent the percentage of respondents who perceive there to be a high level of anti-social behaviour in their area. This is based on a series of questions on problems due to:
- abandoned or burnt out cars;
- noisy neighbours or loud parties;
- people being drunk or rowdy;
- people using or dealing drugs;
- teenagers hanging around;
- rubbish or litter lying around; and
- vandalism.
Perceptions of ASB are measured using a scale based on answers to the seven questions as follows: ‘very big problem’ = 3, ‘fairly big problem’ = 2, ‘not a very big problem’ = 1 and ‘not a problem at all’ = 0. The maximum score for the seven questions is 21. Respondents with a score of 11 or more on this scale are classified as having a high level of perceived ASB.
% perceive a high level of ASB – data limitations
These data are not available at force level from April 2011 due to these questions being asked of a reduced portion of the overall sample.
From April 2011 new questions have been introduced in the British Crime Survey on experience (rather than perceptions) of anti-social behaviour. These data will be available from July 2012.
% percieve a high level of ASB – confidence interval
As the perceptions of anti-social behaviour data are derived from sample surveys, the percentage who perceive a high level of anti-social behaviour figures are estimates only, and confidence intervals apply. A 95% confidence interval has been used to show the estimated range of values likely to include the percentage who perceive a high level of anti-social behaviour if the whole population were asked the same question.
For example, if a large number of people are sampled then the percentage who perceive there to be a high level of anti-social behaviour will have a small confidence interval, as we are more certain the percentage of respondents who perceive a high level of anti-social behaviour reflects the views of the whole population. If a small number are sampled then the percentage who perceive a high level of anti-social behaviour will have a large confidence interval, as we are less certain that the percentage of respondents who perceive a high level of anti-social behaviour reflects the views of the whole population.
The BCS is designed to ensure a sample size of around 1,000 for each police force area.
% perceive a high level of ASB – statistical significance
As the perceptions of anti-social behaviour data are derived from sample surveys, the percentage who perceive a high level of anti-social behaviour figures are estimates only. As such, not all differences between the percentage who perceive a high level of anti-social behaviour are statistically significant. A statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level means that the difference is unlikely to have occurred by chance.
ASB Incidents
ASB Incidents – data limitations
ASB Incidents – definition
ASB Incidents – source of the data
ASB Incidents – time period
ASB Incidents – data limitations
These data are normally used for management information only and are not subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics. These data should not therefore be used for making comparisons between forces, which is why the Crime and Policing Comparator only allows forces to be compared with the England and Wales rate.
These data should be interpreted as a measure of calls for service to the police, rather than representing the true level of anti-social behaviour in an area. The propensity to report anti-social behaviour incidents to the police may vary by area, and ASB may also be dealt with by other agencies (for example, local authorities or housing associations). Recording practice may also vary between forces and over time.
ASB Incidents – definition
This is the number of anti-social behaviour incidents per 1,000 population, as recorded by the police.
Anti-social behaviour is made up of:
- abandoned vehicles (not stolen or causing obstruction);
- animal problems;
- begging / vagrancy;
- hoax calls to emergency services;
- inappropriate use / sale / possession of fireworks;
- malicious communications;
- noise;
- prostitution-related activity;
- littering / drugs / paraphernalia;
- nuisance neighbours;
- rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour;
- street drinking;
- trespass; and
- vehicle nuisance / inappropriate vehicle use.
These categories varied slightly in 2008/09, but the total number of anti-social behaviour incidents are comparable historically.
Anti-social behaviour incidents are not recorded as crimes and are therefore not included in the all crime figures.
ASB Incidents – source of the data
Anti-social behaviour incidents reported to the police are recorded by forces under the National Standard for Incident Recording (NSIR), although these data are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as recorded crime data as they are recorded for management information only.
Data were provided by forces to the National Police Improvement Agency in 2008/09 and 2009/10, and to HMIC in 2010/11.
These data are currently published annually by the Home Office. They are outside the scope of National Statistics.
ASB Incidents – time period
Data has been provided for the years ending March 2009, March 2010 and March 2011.
Quality of service
The Crime and Policing Comparator’s Quality of service category includes all solved crimes data and also a victim satisfaction indicator.
Victim satisfaction – source of the data
Victim satisfaction – time period
Victim satisfaction – definition
Victim satisfaction – England and Wales figures
Victim satisfaction – data limitations
Victim satisfaction – confidence interval
Victim satisfaction – statistical significance
Solved crimes – source of the data
All crimes solved
All victim-based crimes solved
All violence crimes solved
Violence with injury crimes solved
Violence without injury crimes solved
All sexual offences solved
Rape crimes solved
Other sexual offences excluding rape solved
All stealing crimes solved
All burglary crimes solved
Domestic burglary crimes solved
Non-domestic burglary crimes solved
All robbery crimes solved
Personal robbery crimes solved
Business robbery crimes solved
Vehicle crimes solved
Shoplifting crimes solved
Other stealing crimes solved
Criminal damage and arson crimes solved
All non-victim based crimes solved
Public disorder crimes solved
All drug crimes solved
Drug trafficking crimes solved
Possession/use of drugs crimes solved
Disrupted crimes solved
Other non-victim based crimes solved
Fraud and forgery crimes solved
Victim Satisfaction – source of the data
These data come from local user surveys conducted by all police forces and provided to the Home Office on a quarterly basis. The surveys are designed to produce results over a 12-month period, updated on a quarterly basis.
These data are outside the scope of National Statistics.
Victim Satisfaction – time period
Data have been provided for the years ending June 2009, June 2010 and June 2011.
Victim Satisfaction – definition
The local user survey data provided in the Crime and Policing Comparator includes the views of surveyed victims who have had contact with the police in connection with burglary, vehicle crime and violent crime. The figures represent the percentage of these victims who are satisfied with the overall service provided by the police (whole experience).
Further breakdowns of this data are available to download from the data file in our data section. These include:
- making contact with the police (ease of contact);
- action taken by the police (actions);
- being kept informed of progress (follow-up); and
- treatment by staff (treatment).
Victim satisfaction – England and Wales figures
The percentage of victims who are satisfied with the overall service provided by the police for England and Wales has been calculated by taking the total number of victims in England and Wales who are satisfied with their experience of the police and dividing by the total number of respondents in England and Wales for each of the crime types.
Confidence intervals for England and Wales have been calculated in the same way as they have for individual forces.
Victim satisfaction – data limitations
The percentage of victims who are satisfied with the overall service provided by the police for England and Wales has been calculated by taking the total number of victims in England and Wales who are satisfied with their experience of the police and dividing by the total number of respondents in England and Wales for each of the crime types.
Confidence intervals for England and Wales have been calculated in the same way as they have for individual forces.
Victim satisfaction – confidence interval
As the victim satisfaction data is derived from sample surveys, the percentage of victims satisfied figures are estimates only, and confidence intervals apply. A 95% confidence interval has been used to show the estimated range of values likely to include the percentage of victims who are satisfied with their overall experience of the police if all the victims of burglary, vehicle crime and violent crime were asked the same question.
For example, if a large proportion of the victims are sampled then the percentage of victims who are satisfied will have a small confidence interval, as we are more certain the percentage of surveyed victims who are satisfied reflects the views of all the victims. If a small proportion of the victims are sampled then the percentage of victims who are satisfied will have a large confidence interval, as we are less certain that the percentage of surveyed victims who are satisfied reflects the views of all the victims.
Victim satisfaction – statistical significance
As the victim satisfaction data is derived from sample surveys, the percentage of victims satisfied figures are estimates only. As such, not all differences between the percentage of victims who are satisfied are statistically significant.
A statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level means that the difference is unlikely to have occurred by chance.
Solved crimes – source of the data
‘Solved crimes’ (also known as the ‘sanction detection rate’) on this site are presented as the ratio of sanction detections to police-recorded crimes for a given period. They therefore represent the proportion of crimes solved.
A sanction detection is counted as any police-recorded crime where a suspect has been identified and notified as being responsible for committing that crime and what the full implications of this are, and has received an official sanction. Official sanctions included are: charges, cautions, penalty notices, offences taken into consideration (TICs) and cannabis warnings.
A TIC is where an offender admits the crime by way of a Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) compliant interview, and asks for it to be taken into consideration by the court. Offences taken into consideration must be similar to – but not more serious than – the offence charged. The offender must be appearing before court to have the matters taken into consideration. TICs can include crimes that have not previously been recorded, providing the victim confirms that the offence occurred.
Some forces adopt local or community resolutions in place of sanction detections for less serious offences. These data are not currently collected as part of a mandatory Home Office data return and as such are not reported in the Crime and Policing Comparator.
Note: The solved crime rate (or sanction detection rate) is calculated using Sanction Detections and Recorded Crimes covering the same period. Due to the lag in time between a crime being recorded and being detected, it may be possible for the solved crime rate to be greater than 100%. This is more likely where lots of detections occur at once, or where solved rates are high in cases where there is usually a detection at the point the crime is recorded (e.g. drug possession).
These data are National Statistics.
Solved crime rates are presented either as individual force rates over time compared with one other force (or with the solved crime rate for England and Wales), or by showing the latest year’s rate in one force compared to all other forces in England and Wales.
When presenting the rates for an individual force over time the three years ending March 2009, March 2010 and March 2011 are shown. The way crime is classified has changed over time for some categories, so for consistency we have not presented solved crime rates from before 2008/09.
When comparing the solved rate in one force to all other forces in England and Wales the year ending March 2011 is shown. The England and Wales rate for the chosen crime type is also displayed for comparison.
All crimes solved
This is the proportion of all police-recorded crimes solved by the police under the definition given above.
All victim-based crimes solved
All solved police-recorded crimes where there is a direct victim, including violence, sexual offences, stealing (acquisitive) crimes, criminal damage and arson.
All violence crimes solved
All solved police-recorded crimes of violence against a victim, regardless of whether or not an injury has incurred. Possession and public order offences are excluded.
Violence with injury crimes solved
Solved police-recorded crimes of violence committed against a victim where an injury is inflicted. This includes murder, manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, and both serious and less serious wounding. It excludes possession of items to endanger life.
Violence without injury crimes solved
Solved police-recorded crimes of violence where there is no injury to the victim. This incorporates harassment, endangering life (where no actual injury occurs), threats to kill, and assaults without injury (common assault). It excludes public order and possession offences.
All sexual offences solved
All solved police-recorded sexual offences, including sexual assault and rape.
It should be noted that due to the complex nature of these crimes, particularly rape, care should be taken when comparing crime rates across forces as there are many factors which can affect the level of recorded crime. For example, victims being encouraged to report crimes and cultural differences.
Rape crimes solved
Solved police-recorded rape offences.
It should be noted that due to the complex nature of rape, care should be taken when comparing crime rates across forces as there are many factors which can affect the level of recorded crime. For example, victims being encouraged to report crimes and cultural differences.
Other sexual offences excluding rape solved
Other solved police-recorded sexual offences apart from rape.
It should be noted that due to the complex nature of these crimes, care should be taken when comparing crime rates across forces as there are many factors which can affect the level of recorded crime. For example, victims being encouraged to report crimes and cultural differences.
All stealing crimes solved
All solved police-recorded burglary, robbery, vehicle crime, shoplifting and other stealing crimes. This does not include crimes of fraud or forgery.
‘Stealing’ is referred to as ‘acquisitive’ crime in Home Office publications.
All burglary crimes solved
All solved police-recorded burglary crimes, both from a dwelling (‘domestic’) and not from a dwelling (‘non-domestic’).
Domestic burglary crimes solved
Solved police-recorded burglary from a dwelling crimes.
Non-domestic burglary crimes solved
Solved police-recorded burglary not from a dwelling crimes.
All robbery crimes solved
All solved police-recorded robbery crimes.
Personal robbery crimes solved
Solved police-recorded robbery crimes where an offender steals or attempts to steal something from an individual using force or the threat of force.
Business robbery crimes solved
Solved police-recorded robbery crimes where an offender steals or attempts to steal something belonging to a business or other corporate body by using force or the threat of force.
Vehicle crimes solved
Solved police-recorded offences of theft or unauthorised taking of a vehicle, thefts from a vehicle and interference with a motor vehicle.
Shoplifting crimes solved
Solved police-recorded offences of theft from shops and stalls.
Other stealing crimes solved
Other solved police-recorded crimes of theft, excluding burglary, robbery, vehicle crime, handling stolen goods and shoplifting.
Criminal damage and arson crimes solved
Solved police-recorded offences of criminal damage and arson.
All non victim-based crimes solved
All solved police-recorded crimes where there are not direct individual victims, including public disorder offences, drug offences, possession of weapons and other items, handling stolen goods and other miscellaneous offences committed against the state.
The solved crime rates for this crime type can be higher than for other crime types because there is often a detection at the point the crime is recorded (e.g. in drug possession offences).
Public disorder crimes solved
Solved police-recorded crimes of public disorder including causing public fear, alarm or distress, rioting, violent disorder or treason.
All drug crimes solved
All solved police-recorded drug offences, including trafficking and possession.
The solved crime rates for this crime type can be higher than other crime types as there is usually a detection at the point the crime is recorded.
Drug trafficking crimes solved
Solved police-recorded drug trafficking crimes, including the manufacture, supply and unlawful exportation of illegal or controlled substances.
The solved crime rates for this crime type can be higher than other crime types as there is usually a detection at the point the crime is recorded.
Possession/use of drugs crimes solved
Solved police-recorded drug possession or use crimes, excluding trafficking offences.
The solved crime rates for this crime type can be higher than other crime types as there is usually a detection at the point the crime is recorded.
Disrupted crimes solved
Solved police-recorded offences including possession of concealed weapons and other dangerous items, going equipped to steal and handling stolen goods.
The solved crime rates for this crime type can be higher than other crime types as there is usually a detection at the point the crime is recorded.
Other non victim-based crimes solved
Solved police-recorded non victim-based miscellaneous crimes, such as perverting the course of justice, bankruptcy and insolvency, bail offences and health and safety offences.
The solved crime rates for this crime type can be higher than other crime types as there is usually a detection at the point the crime is recorded.
Fraud and forgery crimes solved
Solved offences of fraud and forgery both as recorded by police and as passed to the police by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau.
Force finances
The Crime and Policing Comparator’s Force finances category includes force costs and staff pay costs.
Costs – source of the data
Costs – time period
Costs – data quality
Force cost – definition
Pay cost – definition
Pay cost, officer pay cost, PCSO pay cost and police staff pay cost – definition
Income – definition
Non-pay cost definition
Officer overtime – definition
Adjusted force cost – definition
Adjusted force cost – source of the data
Data anomalies
Costs – source of the data
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Police Objective Analysis (POA) estimates for 2011/12, estimates for 2010/11 and actuals for 2009/10.
POA data is a live data source that is continuously updated. The data used within the Crime and Policing Comparator have been taken from the database frozen in mid-October 2011. Forces had the opportunity to check and re-submit their data before this freeze.
These data are outside the scope of National Statistics.
Costs – time period
For force cost (total), data has been provided for the financial years 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12. Cost breakdowns beyond this level have not been subjected to as rigorous checking historically as the 2011/12 estimates, and therefore trends over time have not been shown.
Costs – data quality
2011/12 estimates data have been subject to a three-stage checking process. First, forces are required to reconcile their figures to their accounts; second, HMIC and CIPFA identify statistical outliers and highlight these to forces for amendment; and lastly, draft figures are provided to forces so that they can check for any unusual figures. Once these amendments are submitted, the data base is frozen and that data is used.
In circumstances where a force has submitted incorrect or insufficient data, that data may not be included.
Force cost – definition
Net revenue expenditure is defined as total expenditure (gross revenue expenditure) minus earned income.
Pay cost – definition
All pay costs do not include pay to special constables.
Pay cost, officer pay cost, PCSO pay cost and police staff pay cost – definition
Officer, PCSO and police staff pay for current budgeted staff includes overtime costs. Some of this may be paid for by income earned by the force; for example, overtime pay for policing football matches.
Income – definition
This is earned income. Examples of earned income are the policing of a football match or an airport, and for services provided to other forces.
Non-pay cost – definition
Non-pay costs are all costs other than pay and overtime costs. These include premises and transport costs, supplies and services, third party payments, capital financing and temporary and agency costs.
Officer overtime – definition
Officer overtime is calculated as a percentage of total officer pay (ie salaries plus overtime costs).
Adjusted force cost – definition
To allow fairer comparison between the cost of forces, the adjusted cost used here shows the total cost of the force (net revenue expenditure) per head of population, adjusted for several factors:
- National policing: The amount of money that the force spends on national policing has been deducted.
- Officer pay: London and South East forces pay extra allowances, or have different pay structures to the rest of England and Wales. To take account of this, officer salaries for each force have been compared with the national pay scales (without allowances), and deducted pro rata. The salaries are calculated by taking the mid-point of the bottom pay point and top pay point for constables, sergeants and other officers, and adding any additional allowances per force.
- Police staff and PCSO pay: Staff and PCSO pay is different for each force to take account of the local going rate. The going rate is calculated from a three-year average of regional median gross pay of ‘public administrators and defence’, compulsory social security. A three-year average has been used to smooth out the effect of any year-on-year volatility.
- Non-pay costs: Office costs can vary from region to region. To take account of this, regional office costs have been compared with the national average and deducted pro-rata. Regional office costs are measured as average cost per full time equivalent (FTE) for Government offices.
All of the adjustments have been made to gross revenue expenditure (net revenue expenditure plus earned income) and calculated as a percentage. The adjustment percentage has then been applied to net revenue expenditure to give the adjusted force cost.
Adjusted force cost – source of the data
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Police Objective Analysis (POA): This is the data source for net revenue expenditure and national policing expenditure. Net revenue expenditure is made up of officer pay, police staff pay, PCSO pay and non-pay costs. 2010/11 estimates have been used. These data are outside the scope of National Statistics.
Home Office workforce data: These data have been used to provide the number of constables, sergeants and other officer full-time equivalents (FTEs) nationally, as the POA data do not provide these breakdowns. These figures are used to weight the differences to the national averages for Officer salaries. Data as at 31 March 2011 have been used. These data are National Statistics.
Office for National Statistics – Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings: These data are used for the median gross pay of ‘public administrators and defence’, compulsory social security, for 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Cabinet Office – State of the Estate report: This is the data source for the average cost per FTE for Government offices. Data for 2009/10 has been used. These data are outside the scope of National Statistics.
Police Oracle: This data source has been used for Police Officer salary information since September 2010.
Office of Manpower Economics: This data source has been used for Police Officer allowances per force, prior to April 2011.
Data anomalies
Cleveland and Essex provided some anomalous POA data, the former related to finance and the latter related to police authority costs.
Workforce numbers
The Crime and Policing Comparator’s Workforce numbers category includes force costs and staff pay costs.
Workforce – source of the data
Workforce – time period
Workforce – data quality
Force workforce and number of officers – definition
Full time equivalents (FTE) – definition
Workforce – source of the data
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Police Objective Analysis (POA) actuals for 2009/10, and estimates for 2010/11 and 2011/12.
The workforce data for 2011/12 are budgeted workforce strength and, unlike the actuals, may include staff posts for which there is a budget, but where the vacancy has yet to be filled.
POA data is a live data source that is continuously updated. The data used within the Crime and Policing Comparator have been taken from the database frozen in mid October 2011. Forces had the opportunity to check and re-submit their data before this freeze.
These data are outside the scope of National Statistics.
Workforce – time period
Workforce data have been provided for the financial years 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12. Workforce breakdowns beyond this level have not been subjected to as rigorous checking historically as the 2011/12 estimates, and therefore trends over time have not been shown.
Workforce – data quality
2011/12 estimates data have been subject to a three-stage checking process. First, forces are required to reconcile their figures to their accounts and associated staff numbers; second, HMIC and CIPFA identify statistical outliers and highlight these to forces for amendment; and lastly, draft figures are provided to forces so that they can check for any unusual figures. Once these amendments are submitted, the data base is frozen and that data is used.
In circumstances where a force has submitted incorrect or insufficient data, that data may not be included.
Force workforce and number of officers – definition
Force workforce and number of officers do not include special constables.
Full-time equivalents (FTE) – definition
The numbers of officers, PCSOs and police staff are shown as full time equivalents (FTE). An FTE is the number of hours that represent what a full time employee would work over a given time period, for example, a year or a pay period.