Statistics in Focus: Population and social conditions. Crime and Criminal Justice.

Abstract

ecent work at European level to improve the comparability of the data makes it possible to make some analysis of trends in crime and criminal justice. National sources of information about crime show considerable differences in approach and coverage, which makes it necessary to exercise caution in making direct comparisons between countries. Main findings The total number of crimes recorded by the police in the European Union is decreasing. Until 2002, the trend was upwards. The countries where the decreases are most noticeable include the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. In some of the new Member States, crime rates peaked slightly later, but here also they are now falling.