Simpson's Paradox frequently arises because of cherry picking though. Marrs is specifically looking at an upwards slope over 3-4 data points after 1998. Wherea

Simpson's Paradox frequently arises because of cherry picking though. Marrs is specifically looking at an upwards slope over 3-4 data points after 1998. Whereas the overall slope of the chart from 1996-2009 is downwards. Clearly falling foul of the paradox. Not to mention, as has been repeatedly stated in this thread - that peak around 02/03 was solely due to the 172 Harold Shipman serial killings being added to the statistics in that year only. And they weren't even anything to do with gun crime... As for Ireland and Jamaica, the increase in homicides are very explainable given the Troubles and rise of Carribean drug trafficking in the 70s.