5. Statistics and Patterns of Crime - 4. Ethnicity and Crime Flashcards
MoJ
Ministry of Justice
According to the MoJ, what percentage of the population of England and Wales is white, Asian, black and mixed-race?
90% white
6% Asian
3% black
2% mixed-race
How do crime statistics compare to MoJ?
Crime statistics don’t represent MoJ data as EMGs are over-represented in all areas of the CJS
EMG
Ethnic minority groups
3 ways of getting data on ethnicity and crime
OS
Victim surveys (CSEW)
Self-report surveys
White people on the CJS according to OS
White people are under-represented in all stages on the CJS
Trends in stop and searches, prison population, homicide and robbery according to the CJS
Blacks 7x more likely than whites to be stop and searched
Blacks 5x more likely than whites to be in prison
Blacks 6x more likely than whites to commit murder
Blacks 12x more likely than whites to commit robbery
According to the CSEW, who is at a higher risk of being a victim of crime?
Those from EMGs
What is the most likely ethnic group to commit muggings according to the CSEW?
Blacks are more likely than any other ethnic group to commit muggings
When was the last self-report study in Britain? Sample size?
2005 with over 10,000 questionnaires analysed
According to the 2005 self-report study, which ethnic group had the highest rates of offending?
Whites more likely than any other ethnic group to offend
Significance of 2005 self-report study
Self-report study challenged the widespread view that rate of offending was highest for black ethnic groups
What do the results of the self-report study show? Why?
Shows that there is bias in the CJS because whites commit the most offences but blacks appear in the prison population more
What report shows that there is institutionalised racism in the police force?
2023 Casey Report
3 explanations for the disproportionate stop and search figures
Police racism
Ethnic differences
Demographic factors
How is police racism an explanation for the disproportionate stop and search figures?
Some police hold prejudices and negative stereotypes against those from EMGs (shown by Macpherson Inquiry). EMGs more likely to be targeted as a result
How do ethnic differences provide an explanation for the disproportionate stop and search figures?
High level of stop and searches may reflect belief that black and ethnic minorities are more likely to engage in certain crimes. High discretion (police using stereotypes) and low discretion (police acting on previous information) may be used by police
How are an demographic factors an explanation for the disproportionate stop and search figures?
The young and unemployed are likely to be stopped and searched
Who carried out research into ethnicity and arrests?
Philips and Bowling
According to P and B, which ethnic group is more likely to remain silent after arrest? Why?
Those from EMGs more likely to remain silent/seek legal advice/deny offences than white people. Probably because they’re suspicious of the police.
How does the CPS indicate racism within the police force?
Before a case goes to court, the CPS decide whether to proceed with the prosecution brought about by the police.
CPS more likely to terminate cases including EMGs than whites.
This could be because evidence presented to the CPS by the police is weak, suggesting that EMGs are arrested with a lack of evidence (racism).
How does the Crown Court indicate that there is a lack of trust of the police amongst EMGs?
Those from EMGs who plea not guilty are more likely than whites to go to the CC.
CC is where jury (random group of adults) chooses the verdict.
Indicates that EMGS believe that there is a higher chance of being found guilty when the CJS deals with them compared to random adults.
