Crime Trends in the EU

• NCJ Number: 209024
• Journal: European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 10 Issue: 2-3 Dated: 2004 Pages: 187-223
• Author(s): Chris Lewis; Gordon Barclay; Bruno Aubusson De Cavarlay; Maria Joao Morgado Costa; Paul Smit
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 37 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Netherlands

Annotation

This study used data from victimization surveys and police statistics to analyze current crime levels, trends in crime, and public opinion about crime among member states of the European Union (EU).

Abstract

Victimization data came from the International Crime Victimization Survey. Police statistics for EU countries were obtained from Interpol, which maintains data on broad categories of crime for many countries. Although Interpol warns that its statistics on crime are not meant for international comparisons because of differing definitions, reporting and recording methods, and lack of quality control, they are still useful for comparing trends over time in different countries. Another source of police statistics from a variety of countries is the United Nations Survey of Crime Trends and Operations of Criminal Justice Systems, which provides information on recorded crimes from responding member states. The Eurobarometer was used to obtain information on public attitudes toward crime among citizens of EU member states. Other sources of crime data were the European Sourcebook on Crime and Criminal Justice Statistics and the United Kingdom's Home Office publication on International Comparison of Criminal Justice Statistics. The study compared data on 3 crime types--robbery, domestic burglary, and theft of a motor vehicle--across the 15 member states of the European Union for 2003. The analysis found that the general trend throughout the European Union over the last 10 years has been a significant increase in robbery but a decline in domestic burglary and motor vehicle theft. Within each country, fear of crime and perception of risk of victimization do not follow similar patterns. Available data do not yet allow a direct comparison of countries ranked for the perception of risk and the actual risk for a specific offense. Recommendations are offered for future developments in data collection on crime. 4 tables, 16 figures, and 15 references