Thus The Guardian today. “Authoritative crime survey of England and Wales finds twenty percent drop in violent crime, seventeen percent fall in criminal damage, and ten percent fall in theft,” elaborates the newspaper. By the way, the authority behind the news is the Office for National Statistics rather than the police. Although the article mentions a seven percent rise in shoplifting and a two percent increase in public order offences, this is very good news. But there is not a word about the likely causes of the welcome change. Is this due to better policing? Or are real criminals on their way out? A combination of the two, perhaps? Judging by the article, such questions are of no interest to anyone. Causes, what causes? What is a cause, anyhow? Give us facts and nothing but facts! Causes are for the birds! And the newspaper is complying without any complaints. This is easier on the journalists, as well. Only an occasional old geezer like me will ever complain about any of the above.