England and Wales lead European crime statistics on car theft, burglary and general violence. European statistics show a 31 percent increase in crimes in England and Wales as recorded by police between 1987 and 1995, easily leading the rest of Europe. Somehow Scotland has escaped this grim increase, showing a 4 percent increase over the same period. A recent wave of muggings has particularly alarmed authorities.

Not much more than a generation ago Britain was the most civilized, relatively crime-free society on earth, a great place to live and bring up children. What has happened? (Sources: The Times, The Sunday Times, The Daily Mail, The Birmingham Post, The Independent.)