APCC Response to Statistical Bulletin on Crime in England and Wales (2)
In response to the Office for National Statistics’ publication of the Statistical Bulletin on Crime in England and Wales [more info] for the year ending December 2016, the Lead of the APCC Performance Portfolio Group, Matthew Scott, Police & Crime Commissioner for Kent, said:
“As the Lead of the APCC Portfolio Group on Performance, I welcome the fact that more victims of crimes which have traditionally been under-reported, like domestic abuse and historic sexual offences, are seemingly now more confident in seeking help from the police. It means more vulnerable people can be safeguarded. As PCCs, we will continue to commission services which give those victims the very best support.
“PCCs play a key role in holding police forces to account on behalf of the public, and crime statistics can be a useful reference point, but they do not give a complete picture on their own. We must bear in mind that crime recording practices are constantly evolving and forces face new and emerging threats. With that in mind, it is vital that PCCs also continue to engage effectively with their communities to ensure that local policing priorities reflect local needs.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Lead of the APCC Performance Portfolio Group, Keith Hunter, Police & Crime Commissioner for Humberside, said:
“As Deputy Lead of the APCC Portfolio Group on Performance, I welcome the publication today of the experimental statistics on fraud and computer misuse offences included in today’s statistical bulletin. We look forward to the further development of these statistics, so that they can become engrained as the vital evidence base that we need to support our on-going fight to protect our communities.”