WORRYING GAP BETWEEN CRIME COMMITTED AND REPORTED

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th Apr 2008

Commenting on the Home Office recorded crime figures released today, Jenny Willott, Lib Dem Justice Spokesperson and MP for Cardiff Central said:

"There is a worrying gap between crime committed and actual crimes reported to the police, especially for violent crimes.

"The British Crime Survey shows that violent crime remains at high levels, which could mean that people are being discouraged in some areas from reporting even very serious offences to the police.

"The Government needs to urgently investigate this discrepancy. Without a complete picture of the patterns of crime, the police are less able to plan and deploy their resources to best effect."