The Gap Between Perception and Reality
The gap between perception and reality when it comes to the rate of Crime in the United Kingdom is not only worrying but needs to be addressed. While most researchers that seek to find out the rate of crime in the country agree that the rate of crime is falling since its peak in 1995, the public does not seem to agree (Reality Check, 2017). In fact, according to most people, the rate of crime seems to rise. One of the reasons that could explain this phenomenon is that an individual’s perspective on the rate of crime is highly speculative and respective to their locality. For example, an individual who comes from an area which experiences a higher crime rate will most likely feel that the rate of crime nationally is on the rise. On the other hand, an individual from a 'safer' neighborhood will most likely be of the opinion that the rate of crime nationally is on plummeting (Public Perception, 2015). As we shall see, this gap between perception and reality could have dire consequences both on the individual and nationally. As such, there is a need for respective agencies to do their best to try and narrow this gap.
The Rate of Crime: Official Statistics vs Public Perception
According to the Crime Survey of England and Wales, the rate of crime fell by up to nine percent within a period of twelve months ending June 2017. However, according to police records recorded within the same time period, the rate of crime went up by 13%. In fact, violent crimes went up by 19% and violence that resulted in injury by 10% (Reality Check, 2017). This kind of gap between perception and reality has dire consequences on the individual than on the government agencies. As a matter of fact, a person who feels threatened will act differently and make different decisions from one who doesn’t feel is under threat (Overcoming the Crime, 2013). For example, a person who feels that crime rate is low is likely to go slow on taking security measures than a person who feels that crime is on the rise. Moreover, a person who feels insecure is likely to take measures that could be inhibitive to themselves and their neighbors (Overcoming the Crime, 2013). They might become suspicious of their neighbors or even restrict their movements during the daytime.
The Impact on Judicial Processes and Public Confidence
Perception gaps, especially where people feel that the rate of crime is going up might lose faith and confidence in the crime and justice departments of the government. As a result, they might not see the need to participate in judicial processes such as reporting crimes, sitting in courts as juries or even giving witness accounts (Wood, 2009). On the other hand, a public that feels that the police are doing their best to fight their crime and is supported by a low crime rate will most likely have great confidence and faith in the judicial system. As a result, such people will most likely engage the criminal and justice department and provide intelligence, report crime and even provide evidence. Therefore, there is a need for local governments and other relevant state agencies to do their best to narrow the gap between perception and reality.
The Influence on Politics and Decision-Making
Public perception has also been known to shape politics (Wood, 2009). For instance, when the public feels they are unsafe, no matter whether they are indeed safe or not, in reality, they will make political decisions based on this fear. A public that feels afraid due to a perceived increase in crime rate will most likely call for the resignation of a political figure who they feel is to blame for this. They might also not reelect a member of parliament who they feel has done nothing to reassure them of their safety even though in reality, they might be safer than they have ever been (Wood, 2009). Therefore, to avoid political stalemates and harsh judgments by the public to unfortunate government officials, it is important to narrow down the gap between perception and reality to make sure that all the decisions and policies that the public calls for are the correct ones.
The Effects on Community Harmony and the Economy
In cases where the public is convinced that there is an increase in the rate of crime either nationally or locally, they might undergo emotional turmoil’s. Residents change their normal schedules and even become suspicious of their neighbors and colleagues (How Crime, 2018). Fear, by extension, can undermine the unity of a community. Residents who are suspicious of their neighbors will not want to engage with them especially in lonely places and during night times. Such residents will move out of that neighborhood and even advise their friends not to move there (How Crime, 2018). This breeds disunity. On the other hand, when the gap between perception and reality is reduced, it might have positive effects. For example, when the rate of crime within an area reduces, and the public perception agrees with the statistics, it might encourage more people to move there and foster harmony. People will tend to be friendly with each other and associate more. This breeds unity. Moreover, people’s perception of crime might have dire consequences on the economy of a region or a locality. For instance, when the public does not feel safe, new businesses will not be set up and those that exist will operate within certain hours (How Crime, 2018). Therefore, a perceived insecurity, by extension, causes unemployment. On the other hand, when people feel more secure, and the statistics are congruent with such as a perception, more people will be encouraged to invest there. Moreover, the existing businesses will operate peacefully and the economy of the area will grow.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a huge gap between public perception and the reality when it comes to the rate of crime in England and Wales. When the official statistics from the crime and justice department show a reduction in crime rate, the Crime Survey of England and Whales which interviews residents directly showed an increase in crime rate and vice versa. This gap has consequences depending on where public perception lies. In cases where the public feels safer, positive effects such as growth of the economy and a strong criminal and justice system occur. Where the public feels unsafe, a weak criminal and justice systems and weaker economy occur. Therefore, in order to control the decisions that the general public makes and ensure that they are correct, there is need to narrow down this gap.
References
Reality Check: Is Crime Up or Down? (2017 Oct 19). BBC News. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-41149778
Overcoming the Crime Perception Gap (2013, August 1). OPM Group. Retrieved from http://www.opm.co.uk/blog/overcoming-the-crime-perception-gap/
Wood, L., J. (2009, Jan). Why Public Opinion of the Criminal Justice System Matters. Research Gate. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285267322_Why_public_opinion_of_the_criminal_justice_system_is_important
Public Perception of Crime (2015, March 26). Office for National Statistics. Retrieved from https://visual.ons.gov.uk/backup/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2015/03/Crime-Chapter-2.pdf
How does Crime Affect Society? Reference.
Retrieved from https://www.reference.com/world-view/crime-affect-society-e062b2c8ee3c2466
