Posts by Meghan Elkin

Understanding the impact of the pandemic on crime

Categories: Crime, Office for National Statistics, ONS, Public Policy
Met Police officers on duty during the pandemic

The impact of lockdown restrictions on levels of crime is one of the lesser told stories of the coronavirus pandemic. With large parts of the population asked to stay in their homes, so-called traditional crimes such as burglary and robbery decreased. However, this was offset by rises in fraud as criminals exploited changing behaviours and more reliance of online and phone services. Meghan Elkin explains how the first comparable figures to before the pandemic help us understand whether there are sustained impacts on levels of crime.

Read more on Understanding the impact of the pandemic on crime

A better understanding of the scale of domestic abuse during the pandemic

Categories: Crime, Data, Office for Statistics Regulation, Population, UK Statistics Authority
Pictured is a victim of domestic violence

The Office for National Statistics has been working to bring together data sources to provide the best understanding of the scale of domestic abuse, sexual offences and violence against women and girls. However, the impact of the pandemic on survey collection has meant a data gap in understanding the sheer prevalence of these crimes. The ONS has now published its first estimates of domestic abuse and sexual assault in two years. Meghan Elkin explains why a note of caution should be taken in interpreting these statistics.

Read more on A better understanding of the scale of domestic abuse during the pandemic

Violence against women and girls: Helping to understand the scale and impact of the problem

Categories: ONS
An image of a woman with her hand to the camera

Crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls, such as sexual violence, domestic abuse, and stalking have devastating consequences. Meghan Elkin explains how the Office for National Statistics has worked collaboratively across government and with charities to produce its first analytical article on this important topic, highlighting not only the scale and severity of the problem, but also where there are evidence gaps.

Read more on Violence against women and girls: Helping to understand the scale and impact of the problem

Understanding the extent and nature of child abuse

Categories: Crime, Data, ONS

Child abuse is an appalling crime against some of the most vulnerable in society. It’s something that’s not often discussed or well understood, and there has been a lack of complete statistics. The Office for National Statistics has been working to produce the most comprehensive picture possible by incorporating questions into the Crime Survey for England and Wales and analysing this alongside other sources of data, which can only tell a partial story. Here Meghan Elkin explains how bringing data sources together helps us better understand both the nature of child abuse and the potential demand on support services.

Read more on Understanding the extent and nature of child abuse

Continuing improvements to crime statistics – repeat victimisation

Categories: Crime, ONS, Public Policy

Understanding critical issues affecting our society lies at the heart of what ONS does and we continually consult with the people who use our data. The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) figures incorporate an important change that improves how repeat incidents of violence are included in the survey estimates. Meghan Elkin sets out the reasons for the change and why the new statistics do not mean more people have suffered violence.

Read more on Continuing improvements to crime statistics – repeat victimisation