Crime And Law Flashcards
Types of crime
Violent crime
-murder( most extreme form of violent crime)
Murder=planned killing of another
Manslaughter= someone dies as a result of another persons actions, but killing them was not the motive
Knife crime
- drop in knife crime( most common in west of Scotland)
- strongly linked with gang crime( protection)
- in 2010, 35 people in Scotland were killed by sharp instruments, representing 44% of total homicides
Sexual offences
- offences that break the law regarding sexual activities
- having sex with an underage person, prostitution, indecent exposure.
Property crime
- dishonestly obtaining or damaging another persons property
- burglary, housebreaking, theft, robbery
Corporate crime
- carried out by businesses or individuals.
- individuals may use computers to hack into other people’s info
- businesses- selling short measures or wrongly labelled items.
Causes of crime
Poverty
- higher rates of unemployment(struggle to make ends meet)
- no positive role models(turn to gangs as a way out)
Age
- Young working class males in urban areas.
- peak ages- 15-19( want to settle down)
- peer pressure
- JOYRIDING GRAFFITI SHOPLIFTING
Gender
- males commit 5 times more crime than females( socialised differently)
- most common females = shoplifting( make ends meet) 2nd = drug offences
- nearly 2/3 of women in prison have a drug problem
Ethnicity
- black people make up 1.8 of the U.K. Population but 12% of the prison population
- ethnic minority’s have on average a lower income than whites( turn to crime to make ends meet)
- higher levels of unemployment( greater temptation to crime)
- may lack a father figure( lack of discipline/ social control)
Drugs
Class A
Most dangerous
-cocaine, ecstasy, LSD
Class B
Mild sedatives(giggly or talkative)
-cannabis, amphetamines
Class C
Least dangerous
- ketamine, tranquillisers
Impact of crime on individuals/ victims
Risk of crime
Risk of crime
- Scottish crime survey estimates that 1 in 6 adults aged 16 or over was the victims of at least 1 crime (2010/11)
- 3% of adults had been a victim of violent crime
Impact of crime on individuals/ victims
Victims
The impact of crime on an individual is immediate( physical/ mental harm, loss of property)
If the crime is more serious( sexual assault) it could leave the victim feeling anxious, vulnerable, scared. Could lead to depression.
-In 65% of incidents, the victim or someone in their household had an emotional reaction.
Impact of crime of individuals/ victims
Age
The risk of being a victim of crime decreases with age.
-26% of 16-25 year olds were at risk of being a victim compared to 9% of over 60s.
Impact of crime on individuals/ victims
Gender
The risk of being a victim of a crime is slightly higher for males than females.
-18% of males have been a victim of crime compared with 17% of females.
Impact of crime on individuals/ victims
Ethnicity
Ethnic minority’s have a slightly higher risk of being victims of crimes than whites.
They are often subject to “hate crimes”
( crimes committed against them beaded on their race/ beliefs)
Impact of crime on individuals/ victims
social class
If you are from a lower social class, you have a higher chance of being a victim of crime. Similarly, “repeat victimisation” affects the poor most.
-Higher social classes can afford to live in safer areas, buy alarms and CCTV.
Impact of crime on individuals/ victims
religion
People may have a higher chance of being a victims due to their religion.
-In Scotland (West), Catholics have a higher chance of suffering crime due to their religion. 1/3 of these incidents were related to football.
The police
Main function is to protect people from crime and disorder.
Nearly 150,000 police officers in the UK. (Paid through tax money)
Roles of the police
Maintaining law and order
-Managing large crowds( mostly seen at big sporting occasions where the priorities are PUBLIC SAFTEY and ensuring those attending so not BREAK THE LAW.)
Technology
Strathclyde police was the first force in Scotland to try out a new mobile computer system( reduced the amount of time filling out forms)
Roles of the police
Detecting criminals
Capture those they believe have committed a crime.
-A police officer can stop and question you if they believe you have committed or witnessed a offence.
Roles of the police
Crime prevention
Police spend a lot of time trying to make sure crime doesn’t happen. ( form of a physical presence(on foot or in a car) ) where law breaking is likely to take place. It also may take the form of public education( teaching people how to look after their possessions and informing them on the consequences of certain crimes)
-Cars are a sitting target for criminals. Surveys found that 1 in 5 drivers do not lock all the doors and close all windows.
Crime prevention
Neighbourhood watch schemes
Partnership where people come together to make their community safer. It involves the police, community safety departments and individuals.
-More than 130,000 NWS covering more than 5 million homes in the U.K.