Modern Britain: 1900 - Present

Question 1

What crimes against the person have continued into the 20th century?

Answer 1

Murder and assault.

Question 2

What crimes against property have continued into the 20th century?

Answer 2

Petty theft and vandalism.

Question 3

What crimes against authority have continued into the 20th century?

Answer 3

Treason, terrorism and rioting.

Question 4

What are some new forms of theft in modern Britain?

Answer 4

There has been a rise in cybercrimes due to advances in technology, such as identity theft, fraud, copyright theft and extortion.

Question 5

Why is cybercrime such a large problem for the police?

Answer 5

Cybercrime can target a much larger scale of people at once and perpetrators can be overseas, making it more difficult for police to find them.

Question 6

What is extortion?

Answer 6

Using the internet to make someone pay money by using threats and/or blackmail.

Question 7

How has smuggling changed in the 20th century?

Answer 7

Before, smuggling mainly involved items such as alcohol, tea and herbs.

Now, smuggling has taken the form of people and drug trafficking.

Question 8

Why has smuggling become increasingly difficult to prevent?

Answer 8

Significant developments in transport (land, sea and air) have made smugglers difficult to detect.

Question 9

Why is smuggling still sometimes seen as a social crime?

Answer 9

Because smuggled goods such as tobacco and alcohol are much cheaper than retail sale in Britain, so both parties benefit.

Question 10

How has terrorism changed in modern Britain?

Answer 10

Although terrorism isn’t a new crime, the threat of terrorism has increased. Now, there are new forms of terrorism usually from extremist groups.

Question 11

Name two examples of modern day terrorism from extremist groups?

Answer 11

1. In July 2005, members of Al Qaeda planted three bombs on undergound trains and a bus in central London.
2. In Northern Ireland in the late 1970-90s, acts of terrorism were carried out by the IRA (Irish Republican Army).

Question 12

What are some completely ‘new’ crimes in modern Britain?

Answer 12

• Drug crimes
• Race crimes
• Driving offences
• Abortion

Question 13

What factors have caused these ‘new’ crimes to emerge?

Answer 13

• Changes in technology
• Changes in attitudes
• Changes in society

Question 14

What are some examples of driving offences?

Answer 14

1. Speeding
2. DUI (driving under the influence)
3. Driving whilst using a mobile phone

Question 15

What has caused the rise in race-related crime?

Answer 15

In the 20th century, Britain developed into a society that was multicultural and more equal. As attitudes changed, new laws were needed to ensure people were treated fairly.

Question 16

What act was passed to combat race crimes?

Answer 16

The 1968 Race Relations Act made it illegal to discriminate against someone because of their race or ethnicity.

Question 17

What did the 2005 Criminal Justice Act do?

Answer 17

This allowed more severe sentences for hate crimes against a person’s religion, sexual orientation and race.

Question 18

How has drug crime been dealt with in modern Britain?

Answer 18

The 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act made taking or supplying of some drugs illegal. However, the criminalisation of drugs has been controversial.

Question 19

What two offences were decriminalised due to changing attitudes in society?

Answer 19

• The 1967 Sexual Offences Act legalised homosexuality for men over 21
• The 1967 Abortion Act decriminalised abortion under certain circumsatances

Question 20

In what three ways has policing changed in modern Britain?

Answer 20

1. Motorised transport
2. Some police officers are armed
3. Police force includes women and officers from different ethnic groups

Question 21

What are three examples of specialist police units?

Answer 21

• Economic Crime Unit
• Police Central e-crime Unit (PCeU)
• Special Branch

Question 22

What does the Economic Crime Unit do?

Answer 22

They investigate fraud, so officers need a specialist understanding of financial systems.

Question 23

What does the Police Central e-crime Unit (PCeU) do?

Answer 23

They tackle the most serious types of cybercrimes and raise awareness on internet safety.

Question 24

What is the purpose of the Special Branch?

Answer 24

Each local force has a Special Branch which aims to prevent terrorism.

Question 25

How have developments in science and technology impacted policing?

Answer 25

They have made preventing, discovering and prosecuting crimes much easier and more accurate.

Question 26

What are some examples of advances in technology that have changed policing since 1900?

Answer 26

• DNA evidence
• CCTV
• Fingerprints
• Breathalysers
• Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)

Question 27

How has the role of the police changed?

Answer 27

The police now work with schools to educate youth on how to protect themselves and their property. Police are also used to control large crowds at football matches.

Question 28

How does the community help in law enforcement in modern Britain?

Answer 28

From 1982, the Neighbourhood Watch was set up, using volunteers to help detect and prevent crime in their neighbourhoods.

Question 29

What did the Neighbourhood Watch aim to do?

Answer 29

• Increase vigilance in the community
• Reduce the fear of crime
• Supporting communication between the police and the public

Question 30

Was the Neighbourhood Watch successful?

Answer 30

Many believe the scheme has made a postive impact on the community and lowered crime rates.

Question 31

When was the death penalty abolished in Britain?

Answer 31

1998.

Question 32

Why was the death penalty abolished?

Answer 32

Ideas about punishment were evolving; reform and paying back society were now considered more important.

Controversial cases also led people to question the use of capital punishment.

Question 33

Why was Timothy Evan’s case so significant?

Answer 33

In 1950, Evans was hung for murdering his wife and baby. Later, evidence proved that their landlord - John Christie murdered his wife.

Question 34

Why was Ruth Ellis’ case so significant?

Answer 34

In 1955, Ruth Ellis was hung for murdering her boyfriend after he had violently abused her for years.

Question 35

How has the purpose of prisons changed?

Answer 35

The aims of prisons have shifted from deterrence towards the rehabilitation of prisoners and helping them to return to life outside of prison.

Question 36

What change was made to prisons in 1948?

Answer 36

Hard labour and corporal punishment was abolished.

Question 37

What different types of prisons are there?

Answer 37

There are open prisons where the rules are more relaxed and prisoners are allowed to leave each day for work. This helps integrate ex-convicts back into society.

On the other hand, there are high-security prisons where inmates are kept in cells most of the day.

Question 38

How were young people separated from adult criminals in the early 20th century?

Answer 38

‘Borstals’ were set up in the early 1900s were used to separate offenders aged under 18 from adult inmates. They were simialr to boarding schools with strict rules, education and work.

Question 38

What is meant by non-custodial alternatives to prison?

Answer 38

This means felons are punished for their crime, but not kept in prison.

Question 39

What are some examples of non-custodial punishments?

Answer 39

• Fines
• Electronic tagging
• Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued by courts can restrict the movement and interaction of young criminals
• Community service

Question 40

When were ‘borstals’ abolished and what replaced them?

Answer 40

Borstals were abolished in 1982.

Were replaced them with government-run youth detention centres, which were led with strict discipline. This was an attempt to reduce the levels of youth crime.