Expert group to try and make crime figures more accurate

AN expert group has been set up to try and make official crime figures more accurate.

Garda crime figures have been dogged by criticism and even controversy over the years. The new body will make recommendations on a range of issues to try and address these problems.

Announcing the formation of the expert group, Justice Minister Michael McDowell said the body would inform and reassure members of the public of the integrity and usefulness of official crime statistics. “I am firmly of the view that public confidence must be upheld in the validity and legitimacy of crime statistics generally.”