Violent Crime: Perception, Stats and Reality.

Violent crime has apparently gone down by half in the last 14 years and yet, in surveys. most people believe it has gone up each year.
The murder rate is 1.3 per 100,000 people per year in Britain, 5 in the USA, 13 in Russia and at it's peak in El Salvador at 75!
Are the Tabloids and media generally to blame for this perception of violence around very corner, with headline grabbing stories? How many crimes go unreported? We all have anecdotal accounts of contacts who can't be bothered to report a crime, for whatever reason.
Perhaps policing has actually improved or imprisonment does act as a deterrent.
What will be the effect of a lingering, miserable recession on violent and acquisitive dishonesty crime statistics? Our court capacity is shrinking and police custody suites less busy.This may be due to demoralised police officers not arresting as many people and certainly not now there is precious little overtime. Also due to diversionary projects and officers' increasing discretion.
Do we reckon there is less crime and feel safer on our streets? Perception and recorded stats.
Discuss!