Wednesday 21 July 2010

Who are the biggest killers: Police Drivers or Firearms?

In today's Guardian Simon Jenkins argues for a dramatic cut in policing budgets. Whilst there is much I don't agree with Jenkins on this one assertion caught my eye.  Jenkins claims that 'speeding police cars now kill twice as many members of the public as die from gun offences.' So I decided to check out the facts.

The recent crime figures show that 39 people were killed by shootings. Whilst the IPCC's page on Road Traffic Incidents shows that the latest full year 'civilian fatalities following police related road traffic incidents' are running at 40.

Anyone interested in police spending should read the excellent Centre for Crime and justice Studies report Police expenditure 1999-2009

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