Recorded Crime Detection 2019

For most crimes, a detection means that a suspected offender is issued with a charge or summons and faces prosecution in the Courts.

The proportion of crimes reported in years 2014 to 2019, which have been detected and where the sanction type was a charge or summons, as measured in September 2020, is shown in Table 5.1. This time series is provided, even though it is not provided for detections more broadly, on the basis that the method for recording charges and summons did not change as part of the PULSE 7.3 upgrade in 2018.

As with detections, the longer the gap between the measurement being taken and the end of the reference period, the more time has been allowed for investigations to conclude and for further detections, or in this case prosecutions, to be achieved. The amount gained in each further year tends to decrease. This feature affects some crime types more than others. The effect of the time lag should be considered in respect of the time series.

The proportion of crimes in Group 02 (Sexual offences) which have led to charge or summons for crimes reported in years 2014, 2015 and 2016 was 22%, 23% and 22% respectively. Although the figures for more recent years are progressively lower - at 20% for 2017, 15% for 2018, and 10% for 2019 - it is reasonable to expect that these levels for the more recent years will increase over time. See Table 5.1.

Despite the time lag, the proportion of crimes in Group 07 (Burglary and related offences), Group 08 (Theft and related offences), Group 10 (Controlled drug offences) and Group 12 (Damage to property and to the environment) which have led to charge or summons is higher for crimes reported in 2019 than for crimes reported in 2014. See Table 5.1 and Figure 5.1.