Counters counting the counted.

Being aware of the reported supposed reduction in crime it appears that all is not quite what it seems. Or at least not quite what it is supposed to seem. The other side of the coin appears to be a little different, as one would expect, unless you have the politician’sview of this after flipping their own two headed coin where there is absolutely no difference in the outcome.

Some police forces have been undercounting some of the most serious violent crimes in England and Wales, the Home Office has admitted.

This would be a little surprising for those who respond to reports of violence, threats of violence or disorder who would hazard a bit of a guess that violent crimes are increasing and not reducing as they are claimed.

But the Home Office is now facing a huge row and damage to its credibility after admitting  a major mistake in the way some police forces have counted some serious violence.

To make matters worse, this comes amid an ongoing three-way battle between the government, opposition and sections of the press over whether or not the streets of Britain are safe.

For the past year ministers have trumpeted figures that show that crime is down, violence is down and your risk of being a victim is the lowest since modern records began.

The statistics also show that while the risk of being a victim is at its lowest ever level, people still think that the rate is going up.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was “extremely pleased” with the overall reduction.

The annual crime report for 2007-2008 reveals the longest recorded period of falling crime – down 48% from 1995.

It shows there were five million recorded crimes. All the main categories were down, including violent crime

Today they insist that those three cornerstones of public confidence remain in place. But one very important figure on serious violence has been completely miscounted. And nobody knows how long some forces have been getting it wrong.

Violent crime is going down ?   I don’t see Home Secretary Jacqui Smith walking about on the Britannia Estate when it is dark. She might venture out into the controlled environment she believes to be the real world during the day with her entourage of PCSOs, for a bit of a photo shoot, but not in the real, real world when the atmosphere is a little less controlled and a damn sight more hostile.

At least when we are free from targets things should be a lot better.

If you are getting a little depressed by all this cheer yourself up with this…………  from Theo Spark.  If you are easily offended then you shouldn’t be here anyway and don’t click on the link.