Summary of Key Messages about Crime, Disorder and Offending

Summary of Key Messages about Crime, Disorder and Offending

Crime Audit Key Messages 1999-2001

This section sets out the key messages from each section of the crime audit document. Based on an analysis of resident data, comparative crime rates and national guidance, Safer York Partnership decided to present information on the following headings.

Offenders, Victims, Domestic Burglary, Vehicle Crime,

Youth Crime and Disorder, Crimes based on Prejudice,

Violent Crime, Fear of Crime, Drug and Alcohol Related Crime, Traffic Offences and Road Safety, Retail and Business Crime

The key messages under each heading are set out below. In general they suggest that over the 2 year period covered by the audit, the number of crimes recorded by police fell, in some cases (burglary, assault and wounding) by quite large percentages. However the next section recognises that since April 2001 recorded crime has started to rise again.

While crime fell during the audit period, the fear and level of concern about crime has not fallen. Residents continue to see crime as the number one issue for the city. It continues to have a significant impact on quality of life for a large proportion of residents. This is in line with national findings, which suggest that it takes a number of years after crime starts to fall for people to become less concerned about it. The group of residents least likely to be concerned about burglary and to feel safest in York are those who have lived in York for less than 5 years. This suggests that recent arrivals feel safer in York than in the locations they moved from.

Residents also link crime and disorder with factors such as drugs and alcohol, and consider young people as the most likely to commit crime. Statistically these views are generally correct. However York residents also suggest that they want to see a range of initiatives in place to divert and prevent young people from getting involved in crime. Young people are also far more likely to be the victims of crime themselves, particularly to be the victims of violent crimes.

The main messages from York's crime audit are:

Offenders

Substance misuse is a significant factor in offending within City of York.
Proportionately offenders in the 10 to 17 age bracket are reducing with an increase in 18-24 year olds offending. This suggests that diversion activities and early intervention work are being successful.
Offending by young women may be increasing. This should be an area investigated further in the coming months.

Victims

Victims of crime should be encouraged to report incidents to the Police and provide as much information as possible, as so little hard data about the nature of victimisation is available.
Older people are less likely to be victims of crime, particularly violent crime.
Young people, while being perceived generally as the perpetrators of crime, suffer higher rates of victimisation from violent crime.

Domestic Burglary

The level of domestic burglary has reduced by over 40% since the period of the last crime audit – from 40.3 per 1000 households in 1997/1998, to 23.9 per 1000 households in 2000/2001.
The level of burglary varies by ward. Over the 2 year period of the audit, Bootham ward (the highest rate) had a burglary rate 13.3 times higher than Wheldrake ward (the lowest rate).
Bootham ward has not seen the same scale of reduction in Burglary offences as other wards.
Residents continue to perceive burglary as their most major concern, both during the day and evening, as measured by the Talk About survey.

Vehicle Crime

Vehicle crime is falling overall. Both thefts of and thefts from motor vehicles fell by over 10% between 1999/2000 and 2000/2001.
Vehicle crime focused within central parts of the City, with Guildhall and Bishophill wards having the highest vehicle crime rates.
An increasing proportion of vehicle crime is occurring in car parks.

Youth Crime and Disorder

Customer research suggests that residents see youth offending as a major concern, but that they also support innovative ways of preventing and diverting offending behaviour.
Low-level nuisance and disorder continues to be perceived and linked to young people in many parts of the city.
The proportion of young offenders involved in theft and handling stolen goods is above the regional and national level.
Over 50% of young offenders had previously used illegal substances before coming into contact with the Youth Offending Team.
Young offenders suggested that more leisure and educational initiatives were required for people aged 16-21.

Crime based on Prejudice

Safer York Partnership and the partner agencies need to develop a number of initiatives in this work area.
Continue work to develop a more accurate picture of the nature and extent of hate crimes in York in co-operation with North Yorkshire Police and relevant community and voluntary sector groups.
Continue to develop initiatives to encourage increased reporting of hate crime incidents.
Continue to develop initiatives to confront prejudice which gives rise to hate crimes.

Violent Crime

During the period of the audit the number of robbery/theft offences and sexual crime offences rose slightly, but the number of assault and wounding offences recorded by Police fell by 17%.
North Yorkshire Police data suggests that since the end of April 2001, there has been an increase in violent crime, although robbery and sexual assault offences still account for less than 1% of all recorded offences.
The preparation for the audit suggests that better information is required on victims and offenders, and on the physical, emotional and financial impact of violent crimes.
Continued work is needed to better understand the extent of domestic violence in York, and to encourage reporting of incidents to the police and other statutory and voluntary agencies.

Fear of Crime

Despite the general reduction in crime levels over the last 2 years, in line with national trends, there is little evidence of a general reduction in residents' fear of crime.
Concern about going out alone has increased slightly since 1999.
In line with national data, York residents say fear of crime has a greater impact than their experience of actual crime.
Fear of crime is strongly related to the level of crime and disorder in an area.

Drug and Alcohol Related Crime

Drugs misuse is an area of importance to the residents and businesses of York, and is commonly perceived locally as being a contributory factor in local crime levels.
Further analysis of the level of local drug-related offending needs to be undertaken when the new Drugs Analyst is in post.
Further local research is needed into the link between alcohol and offending.

Traffic Offences and Road Safety

Comparative data suggests there are comparatively few accidents on York's roads, and fewer injuries. However there is a slightly higher fatality rate in York than the average for England.
Enforcement campaigns are not seen as being generally effective as they can provide only limited coverage in terms of time and location.
North Yorkshire Police work closely with the Highways and Transport sections of the Council's Environment and Development Services department.
They suggests the best way to reduce speed to more appropriate levels and to improve road safety is through road calming measures and road improvement and engineering.

Retail and Business Crime

There was a 5% fall in the recorded shoplifting rate during the 2 year audit period.
Data from North Yorkshire Police suggests that the number of shoplifting offences being recorded has increased during the six months after the audit period ended.
Shoplifting is the most common business crime recorded by police, but also one of the least costly. Respondents to the Business Panel Survey said shoplifting was the least serious form of crime they faced.
There is some suggestion that shoplifting is being diverted from the city centre.

Crime Levels since April 2001

The main crime data in this audit show a reducing level of crime for most of the major crime categories during the period of the audit. However since the end of the period that this audit covers (April 2001), some types of recorded crime in the city have started to rise. The next table compares recorded crime figures for the 6 months between April and September 2001 and the same period in 2000.

Compared to the same period in 2000, there have been an additional 799 crimes recorded, which makes an 8.2% rise in the total number of recorded crimes in York.

Category	April to Sept 2000	April to Sept 2001	Change
Assault and wounding (excluding assaults on police officers)	404	437	+ 8.2%
Sexual Assault	36	43	+ 19.4%
Robbery	37	52	+ 40.5%
Dwelling Burglary	813	871	+ 7.1%
Other Burglary	1132	1043	- 7.9%
Cycle Theft	832	921	+ 10.7%
Theft from Motor Vehicles	1183	1423	+ 20.2%
Theft of Motor Vehicles	483	361	- 25.3%
Criminal Damage	1183	1611	+ 36.2%
Shoplifting	866	956	+ 10.4%
Other Crime	2782	2832	+ 1.8%
Total	9751	10550	+ 8.2%

Source: North Yorkshire Police Area Summary 2001/2002

Breaking down the overall crime level, there have been increases in the number of some types of crime recorded, and falls in others. The largest percentage rises have been in robbery (up 40% but still less than 0.5% of all crime), and criminal damage (up 36% year on year). There have been 20% more cases of thefts from motor vehicles.

There have been fewer car thefts and fewer non-domestic burglaries than in the same period in 2000.

Safer York Partnership are clear that while the crime audit of 1999-2001 suggests reducing levels of vehicle crime, violent crime and domestic burglary, these areas should continue to be priorities for action. In addition other areas such as disorder should be seen as priorities due to the rising amount of criminal damage experienced in the city.

The Cost of Crime

Although there has been some research carried out on the cost of crime there has been very little statistical evidence produced on the cost of ‘high volume' crime e.g. domestic burglary, vehicle and retail crime that directly affects communities. The cost of so called ‘victimless' crimes such as retail crime and credit card fraud has been well documented by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS).

In order to address the social and economic cost of crime the Home Office produced study paper no. 217 (published 2000). It is the first time that the government has tried to assess the social and financial cost of crime.

The Home Office paper attempts to quantify the social costs of crime, the impact of which cannot normally be expressed in monetary terms. However it only partially addresses the costs as it does not take into account effects such as the cost of crime prevention, quality of life, drug crime, low-level disorder, undiscovered fraud and the cost to Britain's social structure. The results of the study show some startling headline figures. Nationally crime is estimated to cost UK households £60 billion a year – or £1000 per person.

A) Individual and Household Crimes

Average cost estimates for property crimes against individuals and households (source Home Office paper 217 table 4.2)

Best estimate (£ per incident)

Category of cost

Burglary in a dwelling

Theft – not vehicle

All vehicle crime

Criminal Damage

In anticipation of crime

Defensive expenditure

Insurance administration

430

330

100

120

As a consequence of crime

Value of property stolen

Property damaged / destroyed

Property recovered

Lost output

Emotional impact

Victim services

1400

580

270

-20

550

230

150

-30

100

730

460

150

-100

220

420

190

200

In response to crime

Police activity

Prosecution

Magistrates court

Crown court

Jury service

Legal aid

Non legal-aid defence

Probation service

Prison service

Other CJS costs

490

240

160

Average cost per Incident

2300

340

890

510

Notes:

1. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding

2. Criminal Justice System (CJS) costs are per offence, not per person proceeded against/found guilty/cautioned and convicted. The average costs shown are much lower than those normally publicised. For example, the CJS cost per person proceeded against for criminal damage in 1997 was estimated at around £10,000 (excluding police costs), whereas the average cost per offence committed was around £30 (again excluding police costs). This reflects the difference between the number of persons proceeded against (17,000) and the number of offences (nearly 6 million).

When these figures are applied to the crime levels committed in York last year (2000/01), one can get a full picture of the financial cost of crime in the city. In total acquisitive crimes cost an estimated:

The average cost of crime York 2000/01

(source Home Office paper 217 table 4.1)

Crime Category	Number of crimes (3)	Average cost per incident (£) (4)	Total cost (£)
Domestic burglary	1789	2300	4,114,700
Theft not vehicle (1)	6089	340	2,070,260
Vehicle theft (2)	3061	890	2,724,290
Criminal damage	2612	510	1,332,120

(1)Theft includes:

a) Theft from person

b) Other thefts and handling

c) Cycle thefts

(2) Theft of and from vehicles

(3) Based on recorded police crime data.

(4) Includes anticipation costs, consequential costs and response costs, as set out in table 1

Based on the Home Office total estimates, thefts of and from vehicles could be expected to cost York £2.7m last year. However using Home Office figures that split the average cost of vehicle crime into theft of motor vehicles and theft from motor vehicles, the estimated costs in the city are higher – at £5.476m. This suggests an average cost per vehicle theft of £1790.

The average cost of car crime in York 2000/01

(source Home Office paper 217 table 4.3)

Crime Category	Number of crimes (1)	Average cost per incident (£)	Total cost (£)
Theft of motor vehicle	877	4800	4,209,600
Theft from vehicle	2184	580	1,266,720
Theft of and from vehicles	3061	1790	5,476,320

(1) Based on recorded police crime data

B) Violent Offences

Although violent crime covers many categories, the table below sets out figures for common assaults, woundings (both serious and slight), sexual assaults and robbery.

While violent crime is not a ‘high volume‘ crime there are high disproportionate costs. Nationally, on average, a violent crime involving a serious wounding costs £130,000, while a homicide costs £1,100,000. This is made up from costs related to pain and loss for the victim, medical costs, police investigation and criminal justice system costs. Other violent crimes are not nearly as expensive as these types of crime.

The average cost of violent offences in York 2000/01

(source Home Office paper 217 table 4.1)

Crime Category	Number of crimes (1)	Average cost per incident (£)	Total cost (£)
Common Assault	408	540	220,320
Wounding (Serious and Slight)	406	18,000	7,308,000
Sexual Offences	59	19,000	1,121,000
Robbery	70	4,700	329,000

(1) Based on recorded police crime data

C) Commercial Crime

Commercial crime is often mistakenly perceived as ‘victimless' crime. However there are similar costs incurred as for other types of crime. These costs are borne by all sections of the community in terms of added on costs to combat profit reductions caused by theft.

There is a significant under reporting of customer theft, as detected offences are usually the only identified offences.

An overview of the BRC survey 2000 states that retail crime last year was equal to nearly 1% of retail turnover and cost each household the equivalent of £85 each year. This would put the cost of theft from shops in York at £236,790.

The average cost of commercial crime in York 2000/01

(source Home Office paper 217 table 4.1)

Crime Category	Number of crimes (1)	Average cost per incident (£)	Total cost (£)
Theft from shop	1704	100	170,400
Burglary not in a dwelling	2175	2700	5,872,500

(1) based on recorded police crime data

D) Summary

Cost of crime is difficult to estimate accurately, due to the Home Office not having produced estimated costs for the very many different types of offences. However by applying Home Office estimates to the number of crimes seen in York, allows us to estimate that in 2000/2001:

Offence Category	Number of offences recorded in 2000/2001	Estimated cost
Theft of and from Vehicles	3061	£5.476m
Violent offences	943	£8.978m
Domestic Burglary	1789	£4.115m
Criminal Damage	2612	£1.332m
Other Theft and Acquisitive Crime	6089	£2.070m
Shoplifting and Non-domestic Burglary	3879	£6.043m
Other Crime[1]	918	£1.836m
All Recorded Crime	19291	£29.850m

This provides an overall estimate that crime in 2000/2001 cost York £29.85m.

Key Contacts

These organisations have been actively involved in preparing this document, along with others. Please feel free to contact them to find out more about their contribution to crime reduction activity in the City of York.

Safer York Partnership
01904-554567

North Yorkshire Police - Community Safety Unit
01904-554615

City of York Council - Strategic Policy Unit
01904-613161

Drug Action Team
01347-823084

Youth Offending Team
01904-554565

Other useful contacts, if you are a victim of crime or if you wish to get involved in local crime reduction activity.

Age Concern York
01904-627995
for advice and support for older people on community safety issues

City of York Council
01904-613161
for information on Ward Committees

City of York Neighbourhood Watch Association
01904-554616
for information on how to join or set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme

Compass Drugs Resource Scheme
01904-647474
for advice, information and counselling on drug misuse

Crimestoppers
0800-555111

NSPCC Domestic Violence Prevention Project
01904-430455
for support for anyone experiencing or involved in domestic violence

North Yorkshire Police

- Call Centre (24 Hour)
01904-631321
to report suspicious activity or information about a crime

- Incident Management Unit (8am – 6pm)
01904-669389
for other queries

Rape Crisis
01904-425353
Thursdays 7pm – 10pm (answerphone at other times)

Victim Support York and Selby
01904-636905

Women's Aid
01904-646630
for advice and support for women experiencing domestic violence

Witness Support Service

- Magistrates Court
01904-637778

- Crown Court
01904-655497

Safer York Partnership would like to thank all those who have contributed to this work, by providing data for analysis, views and feedback on matters of concern, or by assisting in the actual production of this document.

Although Safer York Partnership has produced the document, it is genuinely the product of many, with contributions having been received from various partners and representatives of the local community.

Annex

Consultation undertaken for the Crime Audit and considered in preparing for the Crime Audit.

Community Planning Focus Group Research - October 2000.
Business Panel Survey – September 2001.
Discussion at Old People's Forum meeting – September 2001.
Discussion at Disabled Persons Advisory Group – October 2001.
Talk About Panel Survey – November 2001.
Ward Committee Surveys – September to November 2001
Focus Groups with Young Offenders – November 2001.
Focus Groups with Users of COMPASS – November 2001
Open Community Forum on Crime Issues – 19th December 2001

Statistical and non-statistical information about local crime problems were received from the following Parish and Town Councils:

Acaster Malbis
Bishopthorpe
Deighton
Dunnington
Elvington
Fulford
Haxby
Heworth Without
Nether Poppleton
Stockton-on-the-Forest
Strensall & Towthorpe
Upper Poppleton

Local data collected and considered in preparation of the Crime Audit.

North Yorkshire Police Recorded Crime Data
North Yorkshire Police Road Traffic Accident Data
North Yorkshire Police Business Crime Analysis Data
York Youth Offending Team / Youth Justice Board Data
North Yorkshire Probation Service caseload data
Selby and York Primary Care Trust Survey on Violence and Aggression in GP Practices
York Health Services NHS Trust Security Related Incidents Report Data
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services Data on Non-Deliberate Fires
University of York Crime Report
City of York Council Community Services Department – HIP Operational Information Report
City of York Council Educational Services Department – LEA Absence Data
City of York Council Environment and Development Services Department – Trading Standards and Regulatory Services Prosecutions and Cautions Data
City of York Neighbourhood Watch Association Strategic Action Plan
North Yorkshire Magistrates' Courts Service proceedings data
Crown Prosecution Service caseload figures and Annual Report
York Crown Court Statistics
British Transport Police Crime Data (Poppleton and York Stations)
Yorkshire MESMAC briefing paper on homophobic crimes
YACRO resident scheme data
York Women's Aid activity data
York Council of Churches
University of York Social Policy Research Unit Report 1999
Abbeyfield Society
NACRO Community Safety Practice Briefing
First Stop York Submission on Crime and Tourism Issues.
Age Concern York
Network 2 Annual Report
York Evening Press Archive

[1] These relate to 918 other recorded crimes not recorded under other categories. These are costed at £2000 each, the average cost of crimes against households and individuals in Home Office paper 217.