A peace map of Britain

THE continuing decline in crime rates in Britain, America and other rich countries is frequently noted, if not entirely understood. Theories range from removing lead in petrol, increasing wealth and better policing. Just last week, we noted that both police-recorded data and self-reported survey data show crime in Britain is falling. And a new UK Peace Index released this week adds a bit more data while arriving at the same conclusion. Compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, a think-tank, the index rates 343 local authorities in Britain on their peacefulness by aggregating five indicators: homicide rate; violent crime rate; public order offences; weapons crime; and the number of police officers. These are weighted to give a score from 1 (most peaceful) to 5 (most violent). As the map shows, poorer boroughs in London are the most violent places in England and Wales. Glasgow is the most violent place in Scotland, but also the most violent city overall. The most peaceful places in Scotland (Orkney), England and Wales (Broadland) and Northern Ireland (Castlereagh) are fairly rural and well-heeled. The report also looks more broadly at changes over the past decade from 2003 to 2012. In that relatively short time, crime fell in 278 authorities. The homicide rate halved. The authors also test correlations with other indicators such as the Gini coefficient, youth population, unemployment rates, poverty and health.