Why are the Brits so concerned
The Brits are having a knife attack, assault and rape epidemic. Every day, at least one, usually two or three, British youth (or elderly) are attacked, almost always the attack has racial overtones. So American crime is a distraction, a way to exercise some ‘yeah, but-ism’, their media thinks may soften the perception of their own problems - caused by overmigration under the EU and the historical tendency of Brits to ‘carry on’ (i.e., not question ‘their betters’).
I think you’ve got it right there.