Ravenwood - 04/30/04 06:00 AM
Gun control seems to be having predictable results in the United Kingdom. Criminals are enjoying the gun free society, and violent crime increased by 11%. But they won't admit that it's a bad thing.
British officials are blaming the increase on "low level thuggery" and new police accounting methods. They also try to disguise the figures by claiming that people are less worried about crime.
In interviews conducted last year, 13% of people reported a high level of worry about burglary, compared with 15% in 2002, while 18% reported a high level of worry about violent crime, versus 21% in 2002.I've never heard of measuring the "worry" of crime, but I guess when honest folks are killed off or move out of town, the worrry is bound to go down.
The number of interviewees reporting a "high level of perceived disorder" in their local community fell from 21% in 2002 to 18% last year.Excuse my ignorance, but what the hell is "perceived disorder", and what does it have to do with anything?
Perhaps I don't speak British, but this seems to be the most confusing part. Dr Ruth Henig, chairman of the Association of Police Authorities had this to say:
"We are concerned about the rise in violent crime and authorities will want to monitor the situation closely. We know some of the increase is due to changes in recording standards.Is she actually coming out in favor of increased domestic violence and rape? And although they don't say exactly what "low level thuggery" is, apparently it's also a good thing and doesn't involve injury."Importantly, it also includes crime such as domestic violence and rape, where we want the figures to go up because it means that victims have greater confidence in the police and are prepared to come forward. And, of course, it includes much low-level thuggery which does not actually involve any injury."
Category: Fall of Western Civilization
Comments (3) top link me
Low level thuggery = someone robs a gas station showing a gun/knife/whatever. The cashier, unable to deter the crime with his own gun (because that wouldn't be legal), just hands over the cash. the robber walks away with the cash and without being shot at.
Ergo, no one is injured. And we all know that having a criminal injured while perpetrating a crime would be, well, a crime.
Posted by: bogie at April 30, 2004 8:34 AMTalk about polishing a turd. I've always believed in trying to make the best out of a bad situation, but this is over the top.
So, people should feel good about these numbers, seeing as it's only wife-beating, rape and robbery they're talking about here. As long as no one is killed, it's acceptable and encouraged behavior.
WTF is wrong with these people?
Posted by: Bruce at April 30, 2004 9:00 AMBogie, what you describe is called 'armed robbery' , and typically attracts a ten year sentence.Low level thuggery is of the order of kids breaking windows, or taking stuff from cars - nuisance value, unless you are the unfortunate victim.
Oddly enough, this is not about crime, but about politics. Tony Blair, the nastiest little creep ever to oil his way into a post, is desperate to show that his social policies have improved the lot of the people who vote for him. They have not, as anyone who uses the NHS, public transport or needs the police knows full well, but King Tony is headed for a third election, and wants to win. This report is all about putting a spin on crime figures and works thusly:
Are the crime figures up? Put that down to a different way of counting (coppers were unable to count before Labour took power)
Rape and domestic violence? Since this cannot of course increase under socialism, lets say that increased confidence under Tony means that a higher proportion of victims come forward to report crimes (women raped and beaten bloody were previously renowned for never mentioning this to anyone )
The Association of Police Authorities is, curiously, nothing to do with the police, but with the local authourities who administer them - it is a political body, and knows which side of its bread is buttered.
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