Crime fiction

A note to support what Chris Marshall said on crime statistics (3 December); they must be read carefully. It would appear that the ­definitions of what a crime is are changing; evidence exists of ­moving crimes around and ­placing them under different headings. Select Committee ­hearings heard of outright cheating in London; some items are ­excluded altogether.

I was staggered on hearing a radio report stating that computer fraud is not included at all. 
Experience shows that there is no point in reporting minor crime now, as the police are too short-staffed to do anything.

Also, the police chief in Glasgow, some years ago, stated that much violent crime in that city goes unreported. North and south of the ­Border, sadly, crime statistics must now come under the heading of ­fiction.

WILLIAM BALLANTINE

Dean Road

Bo’ess