Determining the precise percentage of crimes reported to the police in Fishburn is not directly available from the provided data. The data shows Fishburn, a Built-Up Area (BUA) in County Durham, has a crime rate of 75.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is lower than the United Kingdom’s average crime rate of 91.6 per 1,000. Fishburn also boasts a safety score of 82/100, exceeding the UK average of 79, suggesting a generally safer environment.
It's crucial to understand that the 'crime rate' figure represents all recorded crimes, whether reported to the police or not. A significant portion of crime goes unreported for various reasons, including fear of reprisal, lack of faith in the police, or the perception that the crime is too minor to warrant reporting. The ‘dark figure of crime’ – crimes that occur but are never reported – is a recognised challenge in crime statistics.
While we don’t have a specific reporting percentage for Fishburn, nationally, estimates suggest that only around half of all crimes are reported. This figure fluctuates depending on the type of crime; for example, sexual offences are more likely to be reported than petty theft. The low crime rate in Fishburn, combined with its higher safety score, might suggest a slightly higher reporting rate than the national average, but this is speculative without specific data on unreported crime.
Factors influencing reporting rates include community trust in the police, victim support services, and public awareness campaigns. A higher safety score, as seen in Fishburn, often correlates with greater community confidence and potentially increased reporting.
If you have been a victim of a crime in Fishburn, it is vital to report it to the police. Reporting helps the police understand crime patterns, allocate resources effectively, and potentially prevent future incidents. You can contact the police through their non-emergency number or report online via the national police website.