Hidden Figure Of Crime Or Dark Figure Of Crime - GCSE Sociology Definition

The term 'hidden figure of crime' or 'dark figure of crime' refers to the amount of crime that is not reported to or detected by law enforcement agencies and therefore does not appear in official crime statistics. Various factors contribute to the dark figure of crime, such as victims feeling ashamed, fear of reprisal, distrust in the police, or believing the crime to be too trivial.

This concept is crucial for students studying GCSE Sociology as it highlights the limitations of relying solely on police records to understand the true extent of criminal activity within a society. Understanding this concept encourages students to critically evaluate the accuracy of crime data and consider alternative sources of information, such as victim surveys, to gain a more accurate picture of crime in society.