Our Story

Why Crimex?

At Crimex.co.uk, we're all about making sense of crime data with tools like the Crime Volatility Index and the Public Harm Index. Our aim is to simplify complex crime trends for everyone from the general public to security experts.
 
Our founder brings over two decades of experience from the private security sector, backed by a Criminology degree from the highly-regarded University of Essex. Adding to this, a 25-year stint in the financial markets of New York and London sharpens our data analysis, allowing us to apply financial principles to crime statistics. This unique blend of criminology and finance enables us to offer clear, actionable insights into crime patterns and risks. 
 
We cut through the clutter, providing straightforward tools that help you understand what's happening with crime in your area, without the data overload. Whether you're a community member or a security professional, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge to enhance safety and make informed decisions.

Straightforward data presentation

The Limitations of Relying Solely on Crime Surveys

While surveys can provide valuable insights into public perceptions and experiences related to crime, they have significant limitations when it comes to accurately measuring the true extent of criminal activity. Some key issues with over-relying on crime surveys include:

  • Underreporting: Surveys rely on self-reported data, which can be subject to biases and underreporting, as victims may be unwilling or unable to report crimes for various reasons. 1
  • Unrepresentative samples: Surveys typically focus on a limited sample of the population, which may not be representative of the broader community. This can lead to an incomplete picture of the crime landscape. 1
  • Lack of comprehensive data: Survey-based crime data can often underestimate the actual prevalence of criminal offenses and fail to capture the full scope of the problem. 1
  • Limitations in measuring complex crime patterns: Surveys may struggle to capture the nuances and complexities of criminal behavior, such as organized crime, white-collar crime, and emerging forms of cybercrime. 3

To gain a more robust and comprehensive understanding of crime, it is essential to supplement survey data with other sources of information, such as:

  • Official crime statistics: These provide a more objective measure of reported criminal incidents, though they too have limitations in capturing unreported crimes. 4
  • Recidivism rates: Tracking repeat offenders can shed light on the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and rehabilitation efforts. 4
  • Economic loss data: Measuring the financial impact of crime on individuals, businesses, and communities can help quantify the broader societal costs. 1

By incorporating a diverse range of metrics, including sentencing data, recidivism rates, and economic loss estimates, policymakers and researchers can gain a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the crime landscape, enabling more effective interventions and crime prevention strategies.