the British Crime Survey

The British Crime Survey (BCS) is a government research project that gathers information directly from people about their experiences with crime in England and Wales. It asks respondents whether they've been victims of various crimes, even if those crimes weren't reported to the police. This survey helps authorities understand the true level of crime, identify trends, and develop better crime prevention strategies. Since it relies on people's honest accounts, it provides a more accurate picture of crime than police reports alone. The BCS is conducted regularly to monitor changes and inform effective policy responses.