To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the crime detection rate has been within the Metropolitan Police force area during each of the last five years; [100600](2) how many robberies were committed in each of the last five years within the Metropolitan Police force area. [100604]
Overall detection rates and numbers of robbery offences recorded for the Metropolitan Police are given in the table.
| Robery offences recorded | |
| 19971 | 27,386 |
| 1998–992 | 26,330 |
| 1999–20003 | 36,317 |
| 2000–014 | 40,992 |
| 2001–024 | 53,547 |
| Detection rate percentage for total recorded crime | |
| 19971 | 26 |
| 1998–992 | 22 |
| 1999–20003 | 16 |
| 2000–014 | 15 |
| 2001–024 | 14 |
1 Recorded on a calendar year basis up to 1997, and thereafter on a financial year basis (12 months to March).
2 The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded offence coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998. This will also have affected the detection rate.
3 The counting rules for detections changed on 1 April 1999.
4 Figures recorded on the new boundary basis, whereby the Metropolitan Police ceded parts of its boundary to three surrounding police forces, Essex. Hertfordshire and Surrey, on I April 2000.
There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which would have the tendency to increase the number of offences counted. Numbers of offences before and after this date are therefore no directly comparable.
There was also a change in counting rules for detections on 1 April 1999. The new instructions provide more precise and rigorous criteria for recording a detection, with the underlying emphasis on the successful result of a police investigation. Numbers of detections before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.