Crime

It's hard to measure crime, which can make news stories seem more worrying than they really are. We look past the headlines to explain the full picture.

20 November 2012

Crime

Do shorter sentences lead to more reoffending?

After the Justice Secretary announced new reforms to supervision for those released after short sentences, do these lengths of sentence really produce the highest re-offending rates? Read

Analysis
2 November 2012

Crime

Full Fact captures 120 escaped prisoners

Sometimes, even ordinarily reliable sources get things wrong. Normally, Full Fact would consider figures provided by a Minister in response to a Parliamentary Question to be a reliable source. So … Read

Fact checks
24 October 2012

Crime

Has crime fallen regardless of changes to prison numbers?

Crime and justice has found itself at the top of the news agenda this week following the Prime Minister's speech on Monday. But is there really no link between a 'tough' stance on prison sentencing and levels of crime, as one commentator suggests? Read

Analysis
22 October 2012

Crime

Were a quarter of prisoners in care as children?

The Prime Minister today promised a 'tough but intelligent' approach to tackling crime, but is the disparity between the proportion of offenders who grew up in care and the percentage of children looked after by the authorities as striking as he claims? Read

Analysis
4 October 2012

Crime

Rape conviction rates deserve careful explanation

The Shadow Home Secretary yesterday told her party's conference that the fact that just 6% of rape cases ended in a conviction showed that the Government needs to do more to protect women. However this claim can be "misleading" if not properly understood. Read

Analysis
25 September 2012

Health

How many doctors are sex offenders?

The Daily Mail reports that some doctors have been allowed to continue practising after being convicted of sex offences. And is human rights law shielding the offenders? Read

Analysis