Knife crime stats didn't cut it, says watchdog
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UK-- The UK Statistics Authority has set out in detail its objections to last month's government statement on knife crime, which cited figures that had not been properly checked.
The authority said the conclusions drawn about the success of the government's efforts were based on small numbers, and that there was no evidence for the specific claim that “those caught with knives are now three times more likely to be sent to prison”.
Some figures were presented without a control group to give them context, while in other cases data for different geographical areas was presented together, and inappropriate comparisons were made between monthly figures.
The authority said no information was given about the source, quality or purpose of the statistics, and that crucial terms such as “knife crime” and “young people” were used inconsistently.
The comments came in a note analysing the government's 11 December statement against the new code of practice for national statistics, which the authority published yesterday.
The Prime Minister's office acknowledged before Christmas that mistakes were made with the release, and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith apologised to MPs in parliament for releasing the figures prematurely.
Sir Michael Scholar, chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, welcomed the response from Number 10, saying that protecting integrity in official statistics was “an absolute requirement in ensuring public trust”.
The independent authority, set up in April 2008, also forced a government apology over immigration figures in September, after a Home Office official distributed press releases promoting the government's line at a briefing organised by the authority.
It is hoping that the new code of practice and stamp of approval for national statistics, launched yesterday, will help improve standards and restore trust.
Author: Robert Bain
Related links:
New code of practice for official UK statistics
UK Home Secretary ‘sorry' for early release of knife crime stats
