The national crime statistics released on Friday 19th September, covering the period 2013-2014 makes for very dispiriting reading. Oliver Goldsmith’s words come to mind ‘ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey.’

The total number of crimes for the period totalled 2 218 638 slightly up from the 2 126 537 from the year before. Taken by categories there were various indications of a decrease in some important areas. Amongst these was a decrease in total sexual crimes (62,649), assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (183,173), common assault (167, 157), kidnapping (4,158) and crimes linked to the neglect and ill treatment of children (2630).

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Written by Peter-John Pearson, Director, Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO)