Core indicator
Policing
Recorded crimes that were successfully investigated crimes
Last updated March 2023
(March 2023)
Last reviewed: July 2024
What is this sector and how are we measuring it?
Policing is a core focus when thinking about crime and violence. The police aim to prevent and solve crimes, provide support to victims, administer out of court disposals and collaborate with other organisations to provide targeted support where necessary.
Learn more about YEF’s work within the policing sector, and the evidence-based approaches for what works in reducing violence.
We’ve used the proportion of crimes that are successfully investigated by the police as our core measure for this sector. We’ve considered a crime to be successfully investigated if it resulted in (1) a charge or summons or (2) a formal or informal out of court disposal. Investigation of crime is one of the primary duties of the police. It is also one of the key measures cited in the constabulary inspectorate’s most recent annual assessment of policing. However, it can be affected by changes in the way crime and outcomes are reported.
What does our core indicator show?
Overall, this measure shows a worsening picture. While the total number of crimes recorded by police per year increased by 44% over the past decade, the total number that resulted in a successful resolution (a charge, summons or out of court disposal) fell by 52%. In 2022/23, 9% of recorded crimes were successful investigated. This was similar to the year before (2021/22), but down compared to 11% before the pandemic (2019/20) and compared to 25% 10 years ago (2012/13).