Bringing Data to Life: The Story of Crime in Numbers
If you’ve listened to the media you may have the impression that overall crime in England and Wales is at record levels, but do the statistics back that up, or has crime actually been falling? Or is it the case that the nature of crime has simply changed over the last few decades, meaning we’re now more likely to be targeted online than in the streets?
Have your questions answered and explore this ever-adapting area in our upcoming Bringing data to life webinar on Thursday, 24 April from 16:00 – 17:00. This interactive event welcomes beginner-level users of statistics as well as members of the public keen to understand how we capture such a varied range of social ills and harms.
On the Record
Crime isn’t just about incidents; it’s about insights. And how we measure crime at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has changed in the last 40 years too. From integrating data on fraud and computer misuse to developing experimental statistics on online harms and modern slavery, we’re constantly adapting to capture new forms of crime. These changes help us improve accuracy and reflect the realities of a changing society.
We’ll investigate what crime statistics are and how we measure them. Answering important questions like whether crime is going up or down, and if there’s a ‘best’ measure to track the trends threatening our societies.
The Line-Up
Also joining us are guest speakers Joint Lead on Local Policing and Performance at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Chris and ONS’s Head of Crime Statistics Nick to help us understand how raw data are transformed into actionable insights that shape policy, enhance public safety, and change lives for the better.
Chris will unpack how data fuels accountability and why scrutiny is key to a PCC’s role.
Nick will share his verdict on crime trends, public perceptions, and trust in policing – highlighting national vs local views and falling concern around certain crimes.
An Interactive Experience
This is not just another webinar—it’s an interactive session where you can ask questions and share your thoughts via Slido. Get involved, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding of how statistics shape public opinion.
How to Join
📌 SIGN UP NOW on Eventbrite and be part of the conversation using #StatisticsForThePublicGood on LinkedIn, X, and Threads.
The event will be hosted on Microsoft Teams, but if you can’t make it live, don’t worry. A recording will be available on the ONS YouTube channel afterwards, so you won’t miss a thing. Curious about the rest of our Bringing data to life series? You can explore the previous webinars here too.
Don’t miss this opportunity to see how data goes beyond the numbers—helping to improve lives and shape a better future for all.