Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off one whole year of Unlimited learning. Subscribe for just £249.99 £174.99. New subscribers only. T&Cs apply

Find out more

How much crime?

How much crime is there and how can we measure it?

In this video, Ailbhe O’Loughlin discusses different ways in which we try to work out how much crime there is. Notice how there are issues with all the methods that we try to use to measure the extent of crime, and bear in mind that if policymakers and lawmakers rely on ‘measures’ of crime, then they need to be aware of the limitations of these measures.

How do you think we might get as close as possible to an accurate measure of how much crime there is?

This article is from the free online

From Crime to Punishment: an Introduction to Criminal Justice

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now