National crime recording standard (NCRS)

The standard for recording crime in accordance with the law. Forces are required to record a crime within 24 hours of it being reported. It is based on applying legal definitions of crime to a victim’s reports. Its aim is to be victim-focused and maintain consistent data of recorded crime allegations across all forces.

The rules for counting and classifying crime are complex, and many forces provide specific training for different teams on their responsibilities.

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