Catalogue

Title details

SN:	6367
Title:	British Crime Survey, 2008-2009
Alternative title:	BCS
Persistent identifier:	10.5255/UKDA-SN-6367-1
Series:	Crime Survey for England and Wales, 1982-
Depositor(s):	Home Office. Research, Development and Statistics Directorate
Principal investigator(s):	Home Office. Research, Development and Statistics Directorate BMRB. Social Research

Subject Categories

Abstract

Background: The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), previously known as the British Crime Survey (BCS), has been in existence since 1981. The survey traditionally asks a sole randomly selected adult, in a random sample of households, details pertaining to any instances where they, or the household, has been a victim of a crime in the previous 12 months. These are recorded in the victim form data file (VF). A wide range of questions are then asked covering demographics and crime-related subjects such as attitudes to the police and the criminal justice system (CJS). Most of the questionnaire is completed in a face-to-face interview in the respondent's home; these variables are contained within the non-victim form (NVF) data file. Since 2009, the survey has been extended to children aged 10-15 years old; one resident of that age range has also been selected at random from the household and asked about incidents where they have been a victim of crime, and other related topics. The first set of children's data, covering January-December 2009, had experimental status, and is held separately under SN 6601. From 2009-2010, the children's data cover the same period as the adult data and are included with the main dataset. Further information may be found on the ONS Crime Survey for England and Wales webpage and for the previous BCS, from the Home Office BCS Methodology webpage. Self-completion data A series of questions on drinking behaviour, drug use and intimate personal violence (including stalking and sexual victimisation) are administered to adults via a self-completion module which the respondent completes on a laptop computer. Children aged 10-15 years also complete a separate self-completion questionnaire. The questions are contained within the main questionnaire documents, but the data are available under Special Licence/Secure Access conditions from the UK Data Archive. Lower-level geographic variables are also available under Special Licence conditions to match to the survey. See individual survey years for further details. History: Up to 2001, the survey was conducted biennially. From April 2001, interviewing was carried out continually and reported on in financial year cycles and the crime reference period was altered to accommodate this change. The core sample size has increased from around 11,000 in the earlier cycles to over 40,000. Following the National Statistician's Review of Crime Statistics in June 2011 the collation and publication of Crime Statistics moved to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) from 1st April 2012, and the survey changed its name to the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) accordingly. Scottish data: The 1982 and 1988 BCS waves were also conducted in Scotland. The England and Wales data for 1982 and 1988 are held at the UKDA under SNs 1869 and 2706, but the Scottish data for these studies are held separately under SNs 4368 and 4599. Since 1993, separate Scottish Crime and Justice Surveys have been conducted, and these are held under GN 33330.

Variable 'PFA' (Police Force Area): From 2008-2009 onwards, the BCS variable 'PFA' (Police Force Area) is now only available within the associated dataset SN 6368, British Crime Survey, 2008-2009: Special Licence Access, Low-Level Geographic Data, which is subject to restrictive access conditions; see 'Access' section below. 2008-2009 self-completion modules: Data from the three self-completion modules on drinking behaviour, drug use, and interpersonal violence (comprising the module on domestic violence, sexual victimisation and stalking), are held under separate Special Licence datasets (SNs 6369, 6370 and 6371 respectively). These datasets are also subject to restrictive access conditions, similar to the aforementioned geographic dataset; see also 'Access' section below.

Main Topics: The dataset includes information from two sections of the survey, the non-victim form questionnaire and the victim form questionnaire. Data from the adult sample and the young adult boost sample are available as separate files. The non-victim form questionnaire gathers respondent-level data: topics covered include fear of crime; perception of local area; local crime rates; victimisation screener questions; mobile phone theft; experiences of the police; attitudes to the CJS; crime prevention and security; witnessing crime; technology crime; the night-time economy and alcohol disorder; identity fraud; experiences of antisocial behaviour; crime and disorder in town centres and high streets; crime and disorder on public transport; demographic information. The victim form contains offence-level data. Up to six different incidents are asked about for each respondent. Each of these constitutes a separate victim form and can be matched back to the respondent-level data through the variable ROWLABEL. Topics covered include the nature and circumstances of the incident, details of offenders, security measures, costs, emotional reactions, contact with the CJS and outcomes where known. As noted in the Abstract, self-completion modules were also fielded in the 2008-2009 survey, covering drug use, drinking behaviour, and interpersonal violence (domestic violence, sexual victimisation and stalking). These modules are subject to Special Licence access (see 'Access' section below).

Coverage, universe, methodology

Dates of fieldwork:	April 2008, March 2009
Country:	England and Wales
Spatial units:	Government Office Regions
Observation units:	Individuals
Kind of data:	Numeric
Universe:	National Adults Crime victims Criminal offences Adults aged 16 and over in private households in England and Wales during 2007-2008. Analysis of the representative individual or household population of England and Wales is possible.
Time dimensions:	Repeated cross-sectional study
Sampling procedures:	Multi-stage stratified random sample
Number of units:	Adults: 46,286 cases (non-victim form file); 16,184 cases (victim form file). Young adults boost sample: 5,700 cases (non-victim form file); 3,096 cases (victim form file).
Method of data collection:	Face-to-face interview Self-completion
Weighting:	Weighting used. See documentation for details.

Keywords

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE	ADOLESCENTS	ADVICE
ADVOCACY (LEGAL)	AGE	AGGRESSIVENESS
AIRPORTS	ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION	ALCOHOLISM
ANGER	ASSAULT	ATTITUDES
BICYCLES	BINGE DRINKING	BURGLARY
CAMERAS	CANNABIS	CAR PARKING AREAS
CHILDREN	CHRONIC ILLNESS	CLUBS
COLOUR TELEVISION RECEIVERS	COMBATIVE SPORTS	COMMUNITIES
COMMUNITY ACTION	COMMUNITY BEHAVIOUR	COMMUNITY SERVICE (PUNISHMENT)
COMPUTERS	COSTS	COUNSELLING
COURT CASES	CREDIT CARD USE	CRIME
CRIME PREVENTION	CRIME VICTIMS	CRIMINAL COURTS
CRIMINAL DAMAGE	CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION	CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
CRIMINALS	CULTURAL GOODS	CULTURAL IDENTITY
DAMAGE	DEBILITATIVE ILLNESS	DISCIPLINE
DOGS	DOMESTIC RESPONSIBILITIES	DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
DOORS	DRINKING BEHAVIOUR	DRIVING
DRUG ABUSE	ECONOMIC ACTIVITY	ECONOMIC VALUE
EDUCATIONAL ATTENDANCE	ELECTRONIC MAIL	EMERGENCY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCES	EMOTIONAL STATES	EMPLOYEES
EMPLOYMENT	EMPLOYMENT HISTORY	ENGLAND AND WALES
ETHNIC GROUPS	EVERYDAY LIFE	FAMILIES
FAMILY MEMBERS	FEAR	FEAR OF CRIME
FINANCIAL COMPENSATION	FINANCIAL RESOURCES	FIRE DAMAGE
FIRE SAFETY MEASURES	FREQUENCY	FRIENDS
GENDER	HEADS OF HOUSEHOLD	HEALTH
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS	HOME CONTENTS INSURANCE	HOME OWNERSHIP
HOSPITALIZATION	HOUSEHOLD HEAD'S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY	HOUSEHOLD HEAD'S OCCUPATION
HOUSEHOLD INCOME	HOUSEHOLDS	HOUSING AGE
HOUSING TENURE	INDUSTRIES	INFORMATION MATERIALS
INFORMATION SOURCES	INJURIES	INSURANCE CLAIMS
INTERNET ACCESS	INTERNET USE	INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT	INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS	INTIMIDATION
INTRUDER ALARM SYSTEMS	JUDGES	JUDGMENTS (LEGAL)
JURIES	JUVENILE DELINQUENCY	LANDLORDS
LAW ENFORCEMENT	LEARNING DISABILITIES	LEAVE
LEGAL PROCEDURE	LIGHTING	LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES
LOCKS	MAGISTRATES	MARITAL STATUS
MEDIATION	MEDICAL CARE	MOBILE PHONES
MOTOR VEHICLES	NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH SCHEMES	NEIGHBOURHOODS
NEIGHBOURS	NEWSPAPER READERSHIP	NEWSPAPERS
NOISE POLLUTION	NON-CUSTODIAL PUNISHMENT	OFFENCES
OFFENSIVE TELEPHONE CALLS	ONLINE SHOPPING	PAYMENTS
PERSONAL CONTACT	PERSONAL FASHION GOODS	PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS
POLICE ACTIVITIES	POLICE OFFICERS	POLICE SERVICES
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION	PORNOGRAPHY	PRISON SENTENCES
PROBATION	PROSECUTION SERVICE	PUBLIC HOUSES
PUBLIC OPINION	PUBLIC TRANSPORT	PUNISHMENT
PURCHASING	QUALIFICATIONS	QUALITY OF LIFE
RACIAL CONFLICT	RADIO RECEIVERS	RECIDIVISM
REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES	REFUSE	RENTED ACCOMMODATION
RESIDENTIAL MOBILITY	RESPONSIBILITY	RISK
ROBBERY	SAFETY AND SECURITY	SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES
SCHOOL PUNISHMENTS	SECURITY SYSTEMS	SELF-EMPLOYED
SEXUAL ASSAULT	SEXUAL HARASSMENT	SEXUAL ORIENTATION
SHARED HOME OWNERSHIP	SICK LEAVE	SLEEP DISORDERS
SMALL BUSINESSES	SMOKING	SOCIAL ACTIVITIES (LEISURE)
SOCIAL HOUSING	SOCIAL PARTICIPATION	SOCIAL SUPPORT
SORROW	SPOUSES	SPOUSE'S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY
STUDENTS	SUPERVISORY STATUS	THEFT
TIED HOUSING	TRAFFIC OFFENCES	TRAINING
TRAINING COURSES	UNDERAGE DRINKING	UNEMPLOYMENT
UNWAGED WORKERS	VAGRANTS	VIDEO RECORDERS
VISITS (PERSONAL)	VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS	WEAPONS
WINDOWS	WITNESS INTIMIDATION	WITNESSES
WORKING TIME	WORKPLACE	YOUTH

Administrative and access information

Date of release:
First edition:	22 January 2010
Copyright:	Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland
Access conditions:	The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Please note:	Ordering self-completion module data The self-completion modules contained within the CSEW (formerly BCS) contain sensitive data, and so are not available for End User Licence (standard access). Express permission has to be sought from the depositor before the files may be released to users. A Special Licence system has been introduced and the data are only available to ONS Approved Researchers. However, for 2007-2008 and earlier survey years, the previous conditional access system is still currently in place. Therefore, users should follow the instructions below depending on the year of data required. BCS 1982 to 2007/08 Users who require self-completion modules should order the data online. To order the data, registered users should use the relevant Download/order link(s), select a previously registered usage or register a new use of data, tick the box(es) in the 'Other media' column and proceed from there. Users should specify in the 'Notes' section which self-completion module(s) they require. Upon receipt of the order the UK Data Service will send the prospective user a form to complete. Users are advised to provide a reasonably detailed description of their intended use of the data. If further information is required, contact the UKDS HelpDesk. This applies to the following modules: drugs data from the 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 surveys (SNs 3832, 4081, 4463, 4786, 4787, 5059, 5324, 5347, 5543, 5755 and 6066) domestic violence data from 1996 (SN 3832) stalking data from 1998 (SN 4081) drinking behaviour data from 2002-2003 (SN 5059), 2003-2004 (SN 5324), 2004-2005 (SN 5347), 2005-2006 (SN 5543), 2006-2007 (SN 5755) and 2007-2008 (SN 6066) interpersonal violence (IPV) data from 2001 (SN 4786), 2004-2005 (SN 5347), 2005-2006 (SN 5543), 2006-2007 (SN 5755) and 2007-2008 (SN 6066 - includes data from the 2007-2008 domestic violence and sexual victimisation modules) sexual victimisation/assault data from 2000 (SN 4463), 2005-2006 (SN 5543) and 2006-2007 (SN 5755) stolen goods data from 2002-2003 (SN 5059), 2003-2004 (SN 5324), 2005-2006 (SN 5543), 2006-2007 (SN 5755) and 2007-2008 (SN 6066) It should be noted that the self-completion data are not allowed to be used for teaching purposes. The sexual victimisation self-completion modules from 1996 and 1998 (SNs 3832 and 4081) are currently unavailable. BCS/CSEW 2008/09 onwards For the 2008/09 onwards, data from the self-completion modules (described above), a low-level geographic variables dataset and (from 2009/10) data from the children's self-completion module, have been held under separate study numbers to the main survey and are are available only to Office for National Statistics (ONS) Approved Researchers, under Special Licence access conditions. The same applies to SN 6422, British Crime Survey, 2006-2007: Special Licence Access, Social Heterogeneity Variables. From April 2012, responsibility for the survey moved to the ONS, and the BCS became the CSEW. From 2011/12 onwards, the interpersonal violence module (IPV) (comprising data on domestic violence, sexual victimisation and stalking) became available only under Secure Access conditions; prospective users should contact the UKDS HelpDesk in the first instance.
Availability:	UK Data Service
Contact:	Get in touch

Documentation

Related studies and guides

Related studies:

British Crime Survey, 1982: England and Wales Data (SN 1869)
British Crime Survey, 1984 (SN 2077)
British Crime Survey, 1988 (SN 2706)
British Crime Survey, 1992 (SN 3202)
British Crime Survey, 1994 (SN 3591)
British Crime Survey, 1996 (SN 3832)
British Crime Survey, 1998 (SN 4081)
British Crime Survey, 1982 : Scottish Data (SN 4368)
British Crime Survey, 2000 (SN 4463)
British Crime Survey, 1988 : Scottish Data (SN 4599)
British Crime Survey, 2001 (SN 4786)
British Crime Survey, 2001-2002 (SN 4787)
British Crime Survey, 2002-2003 (SN 5059)
British Crime Survey, 2003-2004 (SN 5324)
British Crime Survey, 2004-2005 (SN 5347)
British Crime Survey, 2005-2006 (SN 5543)
British Crime Survey, 2006-2007 (SN 5755)
British Crime Survey, 2007-2008 (SN 6066)
British Crime Survey Experimental Data: Children Aged 10-15 Years, January-December, 2009 (SN 6601)
British Crime Survey, 2009-2010 (SN 6627)
British Crime Survey, 2010-2011 (SN 6937)
Crime Survey for England and Wales, 2011-2012 (SN 7252)
Young People and Crime Survey, 1992-1993 (SN 3814)
Youth Lifestyles Survey, 1998-1999 (SN 4345)
British Crime Survey, 2000: Teaching Dataset (SN 4740)
British Crime Survey, 2000: X4L SDiT Teaching Dataset (SN 4918)
Experience and Expression in the Fear of Crime, 2003-2004 (SN 5822)
British Crime Survey 2007-2008: Teaching Dataset (SN 6561)
British Crime Survey 2007-2008: Unrestricted Access Teaching Dataset (SN 6891)

Related case studies:

Surprising psychology students with crime data
Using government survey evidence to explore fear of crime

Related support guides:

Weighting the Social Surveys
Analysing crime data using Nesstar: Fear of crime using the British Crime Survey, 2000:X4L SDiT Teaching Dataset (Video)

Publications

Variables