England has worst crime rate in world

Telegraph, U.K. ^ | 01/12/2002 | David Bamber

[ElkGroveDan]

Must be a mistake in reporting. Guns are totally banned in England, so we know that they've done away with crime.

[Pearls Before Swine]

That might not be the only mistake. New Zeland and Finland are, according to this article, supposed to be even worse. That doesn't sound right to me.

[NEWwoman]

Gun issue aside, aren't Britians in great peril from prosecution of the government if they attempt to defend themselves from criminals, period?

Criminals prey on the weak and helpless and the British government is a genious in ensuring everyone is weak and helpless.

[yankeedame]

Higher than in South Africa? Cheeze louise...!

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

This is not surprising if you have read Anthony Dalrymple's extremely depressing book, "LIFE AT THE BOTTOM".It is directed at the breakdown of civilization in the UK due to the welfare state, but has a chapter on crime in New Zealand that is a real eye-opener.

I heartily recommend reading this book before you set up a trip to the UK or New Zealand.

[proxy_user]

I have read this book. However, I still cannot believe there is five times more crime in England than in Russia. These official statistics must be BS.

[xlib]

Not only is crime up in England, the criminals are bolder. 53% of burgaries in England occur while the vicim is at home. By contrast, only 13% of US burglars strike while the victim is at home. They can argue that other factors affect the overall crime rate, but it's clear that the likelihood of armed resistance is the reason for the relative timidity of American burglars.

[samtheman]

All of Western Europe is playing the "lie about crime statistics" game. If the truth were fairly published, England wouldn't be the worst, just as bad as all the rest. In France, police ignore criminals to keep the arrest rates down.

[beaversmom]

Britain will just have to establish some more gun laws--it's obvious they just don't have enough.

[BenLurkin]

[aristeides]

Times sure have changed. When I studied in England 1972-4, it seemed extremely safe compared to the States.

[beaversmom]

I've heard Britain does some tinkering with the crime statistics.

[aristeides]

I think police departments in this country played the same statistical games under Clinton.

[SamAdams76]

Pick up practically any Charles Dickens novel (i.e. Oliver Twist) and you will see that grinding poverty and high crime rates are nothing new to England. I think that the lack of guns definitely emboldens criminals wherever stringent gun control laws are in place, but much of urban England has been a cesspool for centuries.

[beaversmom]

I don't know much about New Zealand, but I'm surprised that they have so much crime. I pictured it as just a really green country with lots of sheep--shows what I know.

[Neil E. Wright]

BANG and BUMP!

±
Toward FREEDOM

[beaversmom]

I think you are right. I did a little reading on the internet about Jack the Ripper. The area in which he committed his dirty deeds was terribly impoverished--morally and financially.

[pabianice]

Another 'gun control' success story...

[general_re]

Only the Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Finland have higher crime rates than England and Wales.

Oops. Well, when Clark lets NZ society get a bit too 'Clockwork Orange'-ish, the backlash will be inevitable, I suppose... ;)

[Doctor Raoul]

AIN'T GUN CONTROL WONDERFUL?