[extropy-chat] FWD [forteana] Gun control [was Re: the road tohell]

[BillK]

On Sat Apr 3 13:44:55 MST 2004 Steve Davies wrote:
> snip - lots of good stuff about British crime statistics.

The complete report is at:
<http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/crimeew0203.html>

The thing is 'Violent Crime' in this report has a very British meaning
where in half the cases no physical harm at all was done to victims.
'Violent crimes' can involve actual violence, the threat of violence or
simple harassment.
27% were common assaults and 14% harassment, both of which involve no
physical injury to the victim.
Many of the 35% 'less serious woundings' are Friday and Saturday night
punch-ups resulting from the current predeliction for binge drinking
among the younger age group.

30% of all 'violent' street crime is kids nicking mobile phones off each
other.

The risk of becoming a victim of crime remains at an historic low
according to the BCS, one-third lower than the risk in 1995.



So a few drunken punches that are called 'crimes' in Britain would not
even be noticed by the USA cops. (I've seen what goes on in country and
western bars in the US films).  :)


BillK