Guidance

STATS19 collection and use: feedback from data providers, 2025

Published 29 May 2025

1. About this report

This report summarises the findings of engagement with representatives of police force and local authority STATS19 data providers in England and Wales, carried out during the first quarter of 2025 via a survey and in-depth interviews.

The work sought to gather feedback on the collection and use of STATS19 data, in order to better understand data collection practices and as a result both provide guidance to users of the data and to identify areas where improvements might be made.

2. Summary of findings

Overall, this work suggests that most forces provide some training and quality assurance of STATS19 data, though there are variations in organisation and practices across the country.

Based on responses received to the survey and in-depth interviews of a sample of STATS19 data providers:

• most police forces provide some training to officers in the reporting of STATS19 data, though in around half of cases it is considered that this could be more effective
• most forces carry out some form of quality assurance on at least half of the STATS19 reports received
• over half of respondents use the STATS20 guidance document, though around half feel that the department could provide further guidance

This work has identified a number of areas where the department might take action to support further continuous improvement in the collection of STATS19 data, which will be considered alongside further research looking at a more specific aspect of reporting (related to the new road safety factors).

3. Background and approach

This work involved 3 components.

The first area was a preliminary data analysis. This looked at trends in STATS19 data at a police force area level, comparing STATS19 data with number of collisions attended by fire and rescue services, to identify any notable patterns or trends. A summary of the fire service data used is available in our separate analysis. This was used to inform the later stages, in particular the questions for in-depth discussions.

This was followed by a survey of all police force areas in England and Wales, designed to provide quantitative outputs. In total 75 responses were received, of which half were fully complete. There was at least one response for 40 of the 43 police forces (93%), with 28 being complete.

The final stage involved in-depth discussions with one or more individuals representing a selection of police force areas, with a total of 5 interviews (covering 9 police force areas). This element aimed to explore some of the areas asked about in the survey in more depth.

4. Results

The following summarises the findings of the work carried out, drawing on the results of the preliminary analysis, qualitative survey and comments provided via the survey or in-depth discussions. Results are grouped based on general themes asked about or emerging.

It should be kept in mind that these findings reflect the views of respondents to the engagement exercise; while these covered a range of individuals and forces, they are not necessarily representative of the wide range of people who contribute to the collection and validation of STATS19 data.

4.1 Organisation and collaboration

Police forces adopt a range of approaches to collecting and validating STATS19 data, including multi-agency approaches involving different organisations. While a majority of forces are now using the Collision Reporting and Sharing (CRASH) system, even among these forces there are a wide range of different approaches, for example paper forms are still used by officers to capture the data in some cases while in others mobile devices are standard.

The majority of respondents to the survey (90%) reported that they work with local partners to monitor and review casualty trends. Most responses mention local highway authorities, or their contractors, as primary collaborators. Other collaboration includes with road safety partnerships or vision zero initiatives. In parts of the country multi-force initiatives play an important role. However, there is variation in how different areas and authorities approach road safety issues which can make collaboration more difficult in other areas.

STATS19 data validation is a major focus of collaboration, which is often delegated to local authorities or partnerships, and in some areas private service providers. 

 DfT response: the road safety statistics team hopes to regularly engage with police force data providers and understand the different approaches used, and offer support wherever possible.

4.2 Trend monitoring and online reporting

The preliminary analysis identified that for some police force areas the trends shown by STATS19 and collision data recorded by fire and rescue services was out of step, or where the STATS19 trend showed a notably different pattern to the national level data. In some cases, it appeared that there may be some association with the introduction of online collision reporting, though a range of different issues were identified which appeared to be specific to individual forces rather than an overall pattern and it was hard to draw definitive conclusions.

Among survey respondents:

• 88% suggested that they compare casualty trends with the national trends, although sometimes this is delegated to other agencies such as councils or partnerships
• 68% were unaware of any internal operational changes in the past 5 years which may have impacted on how many collision scenes officers were able to attend

Although comparisons with national trends were common, some respondents noted that demographic or geographic factors make comparisons between areas difficult (for example comparing largely urban with more rural areas).

In terms of operational changes, in some areas a reduction in specialist officers, for example in dedicated Roads Policing Units (RPUs), was noted, meaning less experienced officers attend collision scenes more frequently. Fewer trained officers attending collision scenes may result in issues with data accuracy and thoroughness. Conversely, some forces have reintroduced RPUs or are training more officers as scene managers which is expected to improve the quality of data collection.

62% of respondents (excluding those not sure) believed that online reporting influenced how often officers attend collision scenes, although there was more uncertainty for this question than others in the survey, with 40% of respondents unsure. Forces are considerably less likely to attend collisions perceived by control rooms as slight, or damage-only.

DfT response: we have previously analysed the impact of online reporting on collision trends, and will consider whether this analysis could be updated with more recent data.

4.3 STATS19 training

As with the overall approach to data collection, there is variation in the extent to which, and how, officers are trained in collecting STATS19 data – although there is some training offered in most forces. Of those responding to the survey:

• 78% stated that some STATS19 training is delivered to officers by their force
• 54% considered that their force’s current guidance for STATS19 training is ineffective

Some forces explained that they provide basic input on STATS19 during officer initial training, though others rely on them picking up skills on the job. In forces without structured training, the quality of learning may depend on the experience and knowledge of individual tutors. 

Some forces have digital training resources including video, intranet resources and help features within reporting software – although these may not always be widely used. Some forces are reviewing training (or reintroducing formal road traffic training, including dedicated STATS19 sessions. Some suggested that a national training package would be of benefit.

A key point raised was that police officers may not be aware of the importance of STATS19 and how the data are used, for example by highway authorities. It was suggested by some respondents that frontline officers could receive further training on why data capture and accuracy matter.

DfT response: we will consider what further guidance could be produced centrally, as resources allow, with a focus on how the importance of STATS19 data might be emphasised to reporting officers.

4.4 Quality assurance

Overall, most forces do some validation of the data although the extent of this can be impacted by factors such as resource availability. Of those responding to the survey:

• 79% reported that they quality assure some recorded details for at least half of STATS19 reports
• 59% said that they verify severity for at least half of reported STATS19 serious injuries, though this figure is lower for slight injuries

In many forces, data quality officers or other experienced civilian staff are trained to assess and check STATS19 reports (and sometimes also provide in-person training on STATS19 reporting). Some forces rely on local authority partners for validation, including referring queries to officers.

Forces also use basic validation in digital apps to reduce errors. This does not ensure full accuracy but does sometimes lead to queries being referred to the reporting officer. 

Unsurprisingly, a range of specific quality issues were raised by respondents. For example, it was suggested by some that STATS19 records may not be updated as further information becomes available (for example a change in casualty severity). Other issues noted included the accuracy of mapping collision location, or perceived difficulties with the new road safety factors.

DfT response: we will seek to develop more in-depth monitoring of STATS19 data quality, including introducing monthly reporting back to police forces on any data issues. We will explore any issues related to the new STATS19 specification, in particular the road safety factors, and publish an update alongside the final 2024 statistics in September 2025.

4.5 Use of guidance

While not universally used, the survey results suggested the existing guidance was relatively well-used. Of those responding to the survey:

• 59% reported that they refer to the STATS20 guidance document to inform STATS19 reporting
• 53% think that DfT should provide further support and guidance in recording STATS19 data

In terms of further guidance, suggestions included simple guidance notes for officers (without complex explanations or back-office codes) which could be available online. Other suggestions included mandatory training videos which could be made available through the College of Policing.

There were suggestions related to specific collection systems, most notably CRASH, for example whether elements of the system could be made more intuitive.

Some respondents expressed support for a single national reporting system, to reduce perceived inconsistencies between forces.

DfT response: We will continue to update guidance including STATS20, and have recently added a copy of the new STATS19 recording form to enable consistent reporting. While the department does not mandate a single reporting method, there are now 29 police forces using the CRASH system and the department will support other forces who may wish to adopt CRASH in future.

5. Possible actions and further support from DfT

Throughout this work a number of areas for possible action to support continuous improvement in the STATS19 were suggested, including further work to understand variations in patterns and trends shown by the data across the country. 

In general, suggested actions for DfT related to the value of national standards. This included in relation to development of collision reporting systems such as CRASH, national training or other materials delivered in an accessible way (such as online infographics or video), and guidance to officers and other analysts to foster consistency (for example the importance of interpretation of severity categories, or the new road safety factors).

Possible actions were shared with attendees of a webinar, including police force and local authority representatives, who provided further feedback to aid prioritisation. Based on this feedback, the possible actions in overall order of priority were:

• simple, quick reference material for completing STATS19
• national training materials for reporting officers
• guidance on the new road safety factors
• review and refinement of collection device user interfaces
• improved online reporting guidance for the public
• further guidance on the more detailed severity breakdown available
• guidance on comparative analysis (for example, comparing police and fire data)

Areas for further research were also raised with stakeholders via the same webinar, and a preference was expressed for further work on data linking options or guidance and analysis related to the new road safety factors, with less support for analysis of online reporting or analysis of more detailed severity data.

DfT response: we will consider what could be done to take forward actions in these areas, noting what were suggested as potentially the most valuable area to address.

6. Next steps

This work has provided the road safety statistics team with a useful overview of the current approaches to STATS19 collection and use across a wide range of police forces, and will be used to inform future engagement with forces on an ongoing basis, as resources allow.

The team will consider where actions listed above might be addressed with colleagues (again, in some cases this will be subject to resource), with a priority on developing a high-level document to support the completion of STATS19. 

Further research will be carried out over the following year, with a focus expected to be on road safety factor reporting. 

Any feedback or suggestions in relation to this work is welcome, via the contact details below.

7. Acknowledgements

The department are grateful to Road Safety Great Britain and Agilysis Limited for their support in carrying out the work on which this report is based.

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10. Contact details

Road safety statistics

Email roadacc.stats@dft.gov.uk