NCJ Number
68317
Date Published
1975
Length
22 pages
Annotation
CRIME DATA KNOWN TO THE POLICE ARE INSUFFICIENT TO ESTIMATE THE EXTENT OF CRIME. THEREFORE, THESE DATA SHOULD BE COMBINED WITH RESULTS OF VICTIM SURVEYS, ACCORDING TO THIS REPORT FROM NETHERLANDS.
Abstract
CRIME DATA IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE SIZE OF THE BUDGET FOR SUCH THINGS AS RESEARCH ON THE CAUSES OF THE INCREASE IN CRIME, EXPANSION OF POLICE FORCES, ETC. TO ASSEMBLE THE CRIME DATA, EVERY POLICE FORCE IN THE NETHERLANDS SENDS MONTHLY SURVEYS TO A CENTRAL REPORTING BUREAU. THESE DATA INDICATE THE NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS KNOWN TO THE POLICE AND ARE GROUPED ACCORDING TO THE KIND OF VIOLATIONS. HOWEVER, THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS INADEQUATE BECAUSE VICTIMS OFTEN DO NOT REPORT CRIMES, PERHAPS BECAUSE OF FEAR OF RETALIATION OR MISTRUST OF THE POLICE, OR OTHER REASONS. FURTHERMORE, THE INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE POLICE IS NOT ALWAYS REGISTERED OR SENT TO THE BUREAU. THEREFORE, EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF UNREGISTERED CRIMES ON THE BASIS OF THE POLLS OF VICTIMS. HOWEVER, THE USUAL METHOD OF POLLING AN OPTIONAL CROSS SECTION OF THE NETHERLANDS POPULATION DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VICTIMS ACCORDING TO THE TYPES OF OFFENSES. THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DESIGNING TESTS AND TO COMBINE THE RESULTS OF THOSE TESTS WITH THE POLICE STATISTICS. STATISTICAL DATA COMPARING THE POLICE DATA ON CRIME WITH THE RESULTS OF POLLS OF VICTIMS ARE INCLUDED.