Some Crimes Are More Headline Grabbing Than Others

The opinion of Komadori very much mirrors our own on the headline grabbing subject of speed cameras this week. If you are caught speeding, then tough, deal with it.

The inevitable collapse of the discussion into party politics was entirely expected. However the news about falling crime in Swindon didn't merit as much 'big bang' coverage. With this story, the old chestnut of 'how much crime isn't reported', is often wheeled out. But that shouldn't detract from the fall in crime as the figures show.

One interesting number that should be attached to every sensational headline about knife crime in the town is that it constitutes 0.3 per cent of all crime.

Swindon Centric Says ; When crimes against the person drop to the lowest level in the south-west, for our town, it should make the front page and should lead the story. Good news doesn't have to involve fluffy animals, it can include positive achievements and make an interesting newspaper-selling story to boot.

Footnote : On the issue of knife crime, this report on the BBC is very telling. The statistics show knife crime has stayed at the same level but the irrational fear exhibited by the public doesn't reflect this.