Crime/Law Flashcards
TYPES OF CRIME: HATE CRIME
- crime committed against someone due to their race, religion, sexuality or disability, and can include things like threatening language or violence.
- EG. hate crimes in Manchester rose by 500% after the Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017.
TYPES OF CRIME: POLITICAL CRIME
- crimes carried out for a political cause rather than personal gain, including things like bombings and terrorist attacks.
- EG. the Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017 was carried out by a man with associations to ISIS.
TYPES OF CRIME: PROPERTY CRIME
- includes things like burglary, breaking and entering, theft, car crime and more.
- Argyll Arcade Robbery in Glasgow, where armed thieves smashed shop windows with hammers in broad daylight and stole watches.
SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME: PEER PRESSURE
- young people may commit crime in order to keep the respect of their friends or peers, or because it is expected in their social circle.
- EG. the east end of Glasgow has a strong youth gang culture, and is considered a ‘hotspot’ for criminal activity.
SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME: LACK OF EDUCATION
- young people who are not educated are more likely to commit a crime due to a lack of prospects or knowledge.
- EG. Prison Reform Trust found that 51% of people going into prison have the literacy skills of an 11 year old.
SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIME: POOR ROLE MODELS
- neglect, criminality in parents and family violence can all be factors that can lead a child into crime.
- EG. research suggests teenagers without good role models are 67% less likely to get a job, and would then turn to crime.
ECONOMIC CAUSES OF CRIME: POVERTY
- poorer families may not be able to afford activities and material goods that they need, turning to crime for basic necessities.
- EG. Glasgow city has the second most deprived area in scotland and has the highest crime rate.
ECONOMIC CAUSES OF CRIME: GREED
- our ‘materialistic’ society means that many people steal to gain what they desire, even if its not necessary.
- EG. Argyll Arcade Robbery, where armed thieves smashed shop windows with hammers in broad daylight and stole watches.
ECONOMIC CAUSES OF CRIME: UNEMPLOYMENT
- people may turn to crime when unemployed either due to a lack of income or a lack of prospects.
- EG. the telegraph reported that over 20% of unemployment benefit claimants were convicted criminals.
BIOLOGICAL CAUSES OF CRIME: GNEDER
- a belief that hormonal differences between men and women result in women being less aggressive as they have lower testosterone levels.
- EG. men committed 77% of crimes last year in the UK.
BIOLOGICAL CAUSES OF CRIME: DEPRESSION
- those with depression may lack hope and be unable to find work or socialise, leading them to crime for income or a thrill.
- EG. 4% of men who were diagnosed with depression went on to commit a crime.
BIOLOGICAL CAUSES OF CRIME: ADHD
- evidence suggests many people with this condition tend to struggle in school and at work, meaning they may turn to crime.
- EG. BBC found that 37% of people with ADHD had committed a crime.
YOUTH CRIME: BURGLARY
- involves the illegal entry of a building with the intent to commit a crime, especially theft (gives a thrill quickly and is easy)
- EG. in 2014, roughly 30% of burglaries were committed by 10-17 year olds.
YOUTH CRIME: KNIFE CRIME
- involves carrying, threatening people with, or violently using a knife (carry for protection, impress their friends)
- EG. 59% of crimes involving knives were carried out by young people.
YOUTH CRIME: DRUG CRIME
- involves possessing, manufacturing or distributing drugs (something new and impress peers)
- 2015, UK had the joint highest number of young cocaine users, alongside spain.
CRIME ON COMMUNITY: ENVIRONMENTAL POVERTY
- high crime areas often suffer from vandalism making the area less desirable and meaning people do not want to use public areas.
- EG. 2016, highest number of vandalism incidents was recorded in Anderston, with 609
CRIME ON COMMUNITY: FEAR
- anti-social behaviour can lead to fear amongst residents, as they may not feel safe enough be outside in their area.
- EG. survey of 4000 people found that 47% of over 75s are too scared to go out after dark.
CRIME ON COMMUNITY: HOUSE PRICES
- increased crime in an area means that demand for housing falls as people don’t want to live there, and prices fall too.
- EG. average house price in Bearsden is £340k, but in Easterhouse it is £60k
CRIME ON PERPETRATOR: LACK OF FREEDOM
- cannot do certain things due to their record, like travelling freely as countries may restrict those with a criminal record.
- EG. America and Australia have particularly robust VISA application processes.
CRIME ON PERPETRATOR: STRUGGLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT
- can be difficult to find work as you need to declare your past record, and many places will choose someone else over a criminal.
- EG. 60% of criminals reoffend, possibly due to employment issues.
CRIME ON PERPETRATOR: RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN
- being in prison means spending less time with family. leading young people to grow up without good role models.
- EG. to visit someone in Barlinnie, you need to provide ID and a proof of address which can be difficult to organise quickly.
CRIME ON VICTIM: EMOTIONAL IMPACT
- knowing that someone has intentionally tried to cause you harm can make people feel vulnerable/powerless, this can often last longer than physical issues.
- EG. less than 1% of victims said their physical injuries were the worst part of their encounter.
CRIME ON VICTIM: PHYSICAL IMPACT
- after a crime, victim may be left injured and this may stop them from completing everyday tasks, elderly people may even die.
- EG. ACC highlighted that old people who were victims of burglary were more likely to die earlier.