Fraud stats are a waste of time

Richard Butt
15/ 2/2008

HERE’S another of those bogus surveys.

Manchester is, apparently, the third worst place in Britain for credit card fraud.

London is number one and Birmingham two. The survey was not weighted for population.

Excuse me for not drawing in a sharp intake of breath and then giving a slow whistle of astonishment. What does that tell us, other than that more people live in London and Birmingham than Manchester and that Manchester has more people in it than England’s other big cities (especially if we really mean Greater Manchester)?

The survey came from a credit card protection company – a firm whose livelihood relies on persuading people into using its services.

It was nevertheless reported by the Press Association and elsewhere. I wonder in how many areas Manchester is No 3 to London and Birmingham? Will there be a report that Manchester has more lampposts than anywhere else except for London and Birmingham?

That it comes third in the dog poo league?

Or that it comes third in more surveys than anywhere else?

Richard Butt edits Channel M’s early evening news – every weeknight from 5pm