Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR)

Crime severity index of police service, proportion

Crime severity index takes into account both the volume and the seriousness of crime. The index is calculated with weight assigned to each offence that are derived from average sentences handed down by criminal courts. The more serious the average sentence, the higher the weight for that offence. As a result, more serious offences have greater impact on changes in the index. All criminal code offences are included in this index.

Police service refers to an establishment primarily engaged in maintaining law and order by means of operating police forces and services.

The data for this variable are reported using the following measurements:

• Percentage change over previous period