CRIME RATES

The homicide rate in England and Wales is at its lowest for 29 years. Put simply, Brits are killing each other less often.

Recorded crime is also at its lowest for 23 years, and in Scotland for 37 years. Unlike the homicide rates, recorded crime rates can be fiddled somewhat. But together, they suggest that Britain is a safer place to be than before.

America, on the other hand, seems to be bucking the trend. Today there was yet another mass murder episode, this time at a Batman premiere. Could the difference be due to the fact that there are so many more guns in the U.S.?

Walter Blotscher