What is the British Crime Survey?

The British Crime Survey (BCS) is a very important source of information about levels of crime and public attitudes to crime and other Home Office issues. The results play an important role in informing Home Office policy.

• The BCS measures the amount of crime in England and Wales by asking people about crimes they have experienced in the last year. The BCS includes crimes which are not reported to the police, so it is an important alternative to police records. Victims do not report crime for various reasons. Without the BCS the government would have no information on these unreported crimes.
  
  
• The BCS helps to identify those most at risk of different types of crime, and this helps in the planning of crime prevention programmes.
  
  
• The BCS looks at people’s attitudes to crime, such as how much they fear crime and what measures they take to avoid it.
  
  
• The BCS looks at people’s attitudes to the Criminal Justice System, including the police and the courts.

The British Crime Survey

• The British Crime Survey (BCS) moved to an annual cycle from 2001/02, with over 50,000 interviews of people aged 16 or over now taking place per year. Latest full results are contained in Crime in England and Wales 2006/2007. More information is available on the Patterns of Crime webpage
  
  
• Previous sweeps of the BCS were in 1982, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2001. The first survey was carried out in England, Wales and Scotland, as was the third survey (Scotland now has its own survey as has Northern Ireland). The BCS asks adults in private households about their experience of victimisation in the previous 12 months. As well as the main crime counting element, a number of other crime-related issues are covered.

The BCS only covers victimisation of adults in England and Wales aged 16 and over. The Offending Crime and Justice Survey covers the personal victimisation of children and young people (aged 10 to 25).

If you have any questions about the BCS or about any publications relating to the BCS please email them to: bcsinfo.rds@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

If you have been asked to take part in the British Crime Survey and have any questions or concerns please contact Maya Kara on 020 7035 0296 or email maya.kara@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

Related Information


Measuring crime for 25 years

This booklet examines how the BCS has changed and what has happened to trends in crime and people’s perceptions about crime over the last 25 years.

British Crime Survey - Measuring crime for 25 years download link. (pdf - 2MB)


Statistical bulletins

18/07 - Drug Misuse Declared: Findings from the 2006/07 British Crime Survey, England and Wales
HOSB 16/07 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to June 2007
HOSB 11/07 - Crime in England and Wales 2006/2007
Also available: accompanying tables and reports
HOSB 10/07 - Mobile phone theft, plastic card and identity fraud: Findings from the 2005/06 British Crime Survey (internet only)
HOSB 07/07 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to December 2006 (internet only)
HOSB 02/07 - Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2005/06 (internet only)
HOSB 01/07 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to September 2006 (internet only)
HOSB 16/06 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to June 2006 (internet only)
HOSB 15/06 - Drug Misuse Declared: Findings from the 2005/06 British Crime Survey
HOSB 12/06 - Crime in England and Wales 2005/2006
Also available: accompanying tables and reports
HOSB 06/06 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to December 2005 (internet only)
HOSB 03/06 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to September 2005 (internet only)
HOSB 02/06 2nd Edition - Violent Crime Overview, Homicide and Gun Crime 2004/2005 (Supplementary Volume to Crime in England and Wales 2004/2005) (internet only)
HOSB 18/05 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to June 2005 (internet only)
HOSB 16/05 - Drug misuse declared: findings from the 2004/05 British Crime Survey
HOSB 11/05 - Crime in England and Wales 2004/2005
Also available: accompanying tables and reports
HOSB 07/05 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to December 2004 (internet only)
HOSB 04/05 - Drug Misuse Declared: Findings from the 2003/04 British Crime Survey England and Wales
HOSB 03/05 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to September 2004 (internet only)
HOSB 02/05 - Crime in England and Wales 2003/2004: Supplementary Volume 1: Homicide and Gun Crime
HOSB 14/04 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to June 2004 (Internet only)
Also available: On-line supplement - Distraction burglary: recorded crime data
HOSB 10/04 - Crime in England and Wales 2003/04
Also available: accompanying tables and reports
HOSB 6/04 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to December 2003 (Internet only)
HOSB 3/04 - Crime in England and Wales: Quarterly Update to September 2003 (Internet Only)

HORS 276 - Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey
HORS 237 - Rape and sexual assault of women: the extent and nature of the problem. Findings from the British Crime Survey
HORS 224 - Drug misuse declared in 2000: results from the British Crime Survey
HORS 223 - Crime, Policing and Justice: the Experience of Ethnic Minorities Findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey
HORS 210 - The extent and nature of stalking: findings from the 1998 British Crime Survey
HORS 200 Attitudes to Crime and Criminal Justice: Findings from the 1998 British Crime Survey
HORS 197 Drug Misuse Declared in 1998: results from the British Crime Survey
HORS 191 Domestic Violence: Findings from a new British Crime Survey self-completion questionnaire
HORS 179 Attitudes to punishment: findings from the 1996 British Crime Survey
HORS 178 Handling stolen goods and theft: A market reduction approach (3.1MB)
HORS 172 Drug Misuse Declared in 1996: latest results from the British Crime Survey


Home Office Online Reports

OLR 03/07 - The use of Geographic Information Systems by crime analysts in England and Wales
OLR 02/07 - Seasonality in recorded crime: preliminary findings
OLR 25/06 - Black and Minority Ethnic groups’ experiences and perceptions of crime, racially motivated crime and the police: findings from the 2004/05 British Crime Survey
OLR 21/06 - Perceptions and experience of anti-social behaviour: Findings from the 2004/05 British Crime Survey
OLR 15/06 - Worry about crime in England and Wales: findings from the 2003/04 and 2004/05 British Crime Survey
OLR 12/06 - Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the 2004/05 British Crime Survey
Also available: Excel Data spreadsheets
OLR 09/06 - Fraud and technology crimes: Findings from the 2003/04 British Crime Survey, the 2004 Offending, Crime and Justice Survey, and from administrative source
OLR 07/06 Policing and the criminal justice system – public confidence and perceptions: findings from the 2004/05 British Crime Survey
OLR 38/05 - Handling stolen goods: findings from the 2002/03 British Crime Survey and 2003 Offending, Crime and Justice Survey
OLR 34/05 - Fraud and technology Crimes: findings from the 2002/03 British Crime Survey and 2003 Offending, Crime and Justice Survey
OLR 31/05 - Policing and the criminal justice system – public confidence and perceptions: findings from the 2003/04 British Crime Survey
OLR 64/04 - Public attitudes to the criminal justice system: the impact of providing information to British Crime Survey respondents
OLR 49/04 - Perceptions and experience of antisocial behaviour: findings from the 2003/2004 British Crime Survey Also available: supplementary Excel spreadsheets
OLR 31/04 - Support for victims of crime: findings from the 2002/2003 British Crime Survey
OLR 18/04 - Violent crime in England and Wales
OLR 4/04 - Violence at work: Findings from the 2002/2003 British Crime Survey also available: Supplementary Tables
OLR 35/03 - Alcohol-related assault: findings from the British Crime Survey
Abstract «
OLR 31/03 - National Crime Recording Standards (NCRS): an analysis of the impact on recorded crime. Companion volume to Crime in England and Wales 2002/2003
Part One - The national picture
OLR 32/03 - National Crime Recording Standards (NCRS): an analysis of the impact on recorded crime. Companion volume to Crime in England and Wales 2002/2003
Part Two - Impact on individual police forces



Home Office Research Findings

Findings 252. Perceptions and experiences of antisocial behaviour
Research Findings 237 - Ethnicity, victimisation and worry about crime: findings from the 2001/02 and 2002/03 British Crime Surveys
Research Findings 182. Prevalence of drug use: key findings from the 2001/2002 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 150. Neighbourhood Watch: findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 149. Drug misuse declared in 2000: key results from the British Crime Survey
Research Findings 146 Ethnic minorities' experience of crime and policing: findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 145. Antisocial behaviour and disorder: findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey
Research Finding 142. Voluntary and community activities: findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 137. Confidence in the Criminal Justice System: Findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 136. Policing and the Public: Findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 129. Stalking: Findings from the 1998 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 124. Victim and Witness Intimidation: Key Findings from the British Crime Survey
Research Findings 117. Victim Support: Findings from the 1998 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 113. Policing and the Public: Findings from the 1998 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 111. Attitudes to Crime and Criminal Justice: Findings from the 1998 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 93. Drug Misuse Declared in 1998: Key results from the British Crime Survey
Research Findings 86. Domestic Violence: Findings from the BCS Self-completion Questionnaire.
Research Findings 83. Concern About Crime: Findings from the 1998 British Crime Survey.
Research Findings 77. Rural Areas and Crime: Findings from the British Crime Survey.
Research Findings 69. Handling stolen goods and theft: a market reduction approach.
Research Findings 64. Attitudes to punishment: findings from the 1996 British Crime Survey.
Research Findings 60. Policing and the public: findings from the 1996 British Crime Survey
Research Findings 59. Ethnicity and contacts with the police: latest findings from the British Crime Survey
Research Findings 57. The 1996 international crime victimisation survey.
Research Findings 56. Drug misuse declared in 1996: key results from the British Crime Survey.
Research Findings 39. Ethnic minorities, victimisation and racial harassment.
Research Findings 33. Drug misuse declared: results of the 1994 British Crime Survey.
Research Findings 28. Policing and the public: findings from the 1994 British Crime Survey.
Research Findings 27. Crime against manufacturing premises in 1993.
Research Findings 26. Crime against retail premises in 1993.


Occasional Papers

Occasional Paper Violence at Work: New Findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey (internet only)
Occasional Paper Violence at Work: Findings from the British Crime Survey
Occasional Paper Public Perceptions and Victims' Experiences of Victim Support: Findings from the 1998 British Crime Survey
Occasional paper Victim and Witness Intimidation: Findings from the British Crime Survey


Police Research Group Briefing Notes

8/01 Conducting community surveys: results of a feasiblilty study
7/01 Stranger and acquaintance violence: practice messages from the British Crime Survey
6/01 Vehicle related thefts: practice messages from the British Crime Survey
5/01 Burglary: practice messages from the British Crime Survey
12/00 Traffic Calming: The Reality of 'Road Rage'


Supplementary Volumes

Crime in England and Wales 2005/06: Supplementary Tables: Nature of burglary, vehicle and violent crime

Crime in England and Wales 2004/05: Supplementary Tables: Nature of burglary, vehicle and violent crime

Crime in England and Wales 2003/04 Supplementary Tables: Nature of burglary, vehicle and violent crime

Crime in England and Wales 2002/03 Supplementary Tables: Nature of burglary, vehicle and violent crime

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