Crime and its Consequences in England and Wales

Abstract

In recent years, a great deal has been made about the perceived increase in crime. This widely reported increase has been used as a central point of reference for the development of more punitive responses toward offenders on both sides of the Atlantic. In Britain there has been a growing concern expressed in the media about what is considered to be a rapidly deteriorating situation, and this has led to calls in official circles for the routine arming of the police, removing suspects' right to silence, and the development of more austere penal institutions. A detailed examination of recent crime trends, however, suggests that there has been considerable variability in the incidence and the impact of crime in different areas over the last few years. The aim of this article is to critically examine recent developments and to consider their implications for crime prevention and crime control.