Experts clash on crime figures compilation

MEMBERS of an expert group on crime statistics have clashed over findings on how to improve the compilation of crime figures by the gardaí.

Three of the 13-member group established by Justice Minister Michael McDowell said its failure to examine the non-recording of reported crime made it impossible to make any findings on the quality, reliability and accuracy of garda figures.

They also claimed the non-publication of data on non-headline cases in recent years suggested there may be problems with the recording of crime statistics.

The dissenting minority also expressed concern that the expert group did not fully discharge its terms of reference. They claim that the group did not properly evaluate how crime data entered in the garda computer system, known as PULSE, works in practice.

Dr Ian O'Donnell of the Institute of Criminology, UCD, and Mary Burke and Nicola Hughes, of the National Crime Council, said the group failed to come to any understanding of the extent to which reported crimes were not recorded.

They claimed the absence of such information prevented the group from making any conclusions about the quality, reliability and accuracy of garda data.

They also criticised the fact that larceny of a bicycle and shoplifting were classified as headline offences, when crimes which caused public concern like dangerous driving, possession of knives and public orders offences were deemed to be non-headline.

Overall, the report by the main expert group said it could not provide "a blanket endorsement" of all aspects of PULSE. However, it recommended that crime statistics should continue to be complied and produced by the gardaí. It also advised against making any changes to the existing categorisation between headline and non-headline offences.

The group said many of the recommendations on how to improve the operation of PULSE could be implemented with immediate effect.

These include the publication of all non-headline offences reported to gardaí rather than just those where proceedings are taken. However, it also concluded that a number of shortcomings in the system of compiling crime statistics could not be addressed without major structural changes.

In the medium term, it recommends the establishment of a Central Crime Statistics Unit within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which would publish enhanced crime statistics based on data derived from the PULSE system.