Yep - I do appreciate that we cant survey the whole population - and thats what i said - at best a survey is only representative of a small cross section!
Bearing in mind that they will have responded using at times their own subjective interpretation of the questions which is dependent on the current mood/experiences of those surveyed at that time!
So to summarise surveys are not based on fact and are merely indicative/can inform trends etc - and lets not forget dependent on how the questions are phrased/asked as this can influence responses!
Unfortunately we are not going to agree on this one - but you are quite right on the point that different generations have suspicions about different individuals/groups who dont follow the norm!
Me being a early thirties, single male, dinosaur it was much better in my day you know!
Yeah .....and my dad can run faster than his dad!!
To be fair Evilcat is entitled to his opinion and his comments are based on sound valid reasoning - I respect his opinions although they dont necessarily agree with mine - and he no doubt feels the same - but hey that's the pleasure of living in a democracy!
And he has a good taste in cars (but if i see Tony Blair driving an AMG when i am in London tomorrow we all know who evilcat is!!)
Whilst I do subscribe to Voltaire's maxim (well, he didn't actually say it, but it is usually attributed to him) that "I may disapprove of what you say, but I would defend to the death your right to say it", I really do think that in this case it is not just two opposing opinions. Sure, everyone takes statistics with a pinch of salt, and it's nice and easy to cast aspertions at those who would manipulate both the questions and the answers for their own ends.
However, the British Crime Survey is well respected, has been going for many years, and uses a large sample. It has generally correlated well with reported crime statistics (although variations in reporting methodology used by the police have made the two numbers diverge of late) and shows trends that are supportable at local level.
Sure, people have their own experiences upon which they base their opinions. But given that people are so subjective I'd far rather take my evidence from more than just one individual. What evidence would you believe regarding falling crime levels? Your own eyes only tell you about a tiny part of the 60M people's experiences in the UK.
Anyway, straying off the point of course. My new car is great though... [:)]
Evilcat - you knowledge of the statistical work carried out by them is obviously well researched and much greater than mine so i therefore am not in a position to discredit your arguments or their survey!
I dont know from what info their their stats are formulated - reported crime, crimes solved etc. etc. and I suppose it depends what types of crime they are reporting against - perhaps overall crime is decreasing but what about categories of crime? -taking this example are carjackings decreasing at the same rate or in fact increasing? What is the success rate of reaching prosecutions for these types of crime etc?
But is my opinion of whether we are in fact experiencing a downward trend in crime/anti social behaviour etc only the view of one person? - an argument for another day perhaps!
At least here in the USA we have an answer for them that wishes to car jack not available in your country. In the state I live in the law considers my house & car while in it my castle & am allowed to defend my castle with items not availble where you are. I am not knocking your country or laws just stating what our options are here.
Steve, all I can say is be thankful for some sensible laws in the USA, here in GB the knobheads in charge have written laws to say that a car is a public place. So even if someone gets in you car, you cannot legally forcefully remove them, I found this out years ago when I was arrested for having a 4 inch knife in the car(even though it was in a tool bag).
evilcat - on a serious point on the flight down to London this morning I read an article with results of a survey which suggested that Scottish males are the best lovers in the UK!
I take it all back maybe you were right afterall about this survey lark!!
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