The Cost of Offending in the UK
The cost of offending in the UK is high. A recent report from the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) estimated that in the year ending March 2019, the cost of crime was estimated to be £35.3 billion. This figure includes the cost of policing, the criminal justice system, victim support services, and lost productivity.
Policing is one of the main costs of crime in the UK. The cost of policing was estimated to be £13.8 billion in the year ending March 2019. This covers the cost of police officers, police vehicles and equipment, and other related costs.
Criminal Justice System costs make up a significant portion of the total cost of crime. The cost of the criminal justice system was estimated to be £8.6 billion in the year ending March 2019. This includes the cost of court proceedings, legal aid, and prison costs.
Victim Support Services are another important cost of crime. The cost of victim support services was estimated to be £2.8 billion in the year ending March 2019. This includes the costs of providing counselling, practical help, and compensation to victims.
Lost Productivity is another factor in the cost of crime in the UK. The cost of lost productivity due to crime was estimated to be £10.1 billion in the year ending March 2019. This includes the costs of lost wages and lost economic output due to offenders being in prison.
In conclusion, the cost of offending in the UK is high. The cost of policing, the criminal justice system, victim support services, and lost productivity all contribute to the total cost of crime.