Nature of Crime Flashcards
One way that highlights that crime in Scotland is a problem is the big rise in reported sexual crimes.
This means that in the last decade the level of reported sexual crime increased significantly - double the rate of 2012. This may be due to a higher percentage of victims actually reporting the crimes to the police.
For example, Rape Crisis Scotland reported in 2022 a 96% increase in the level of sexual crime reported to the police in Scotland over the past decade.
One way that highlights that crime in Scotland is a problem is the big rise in scams and fraud.
Scams and fraud happen when someone tries to trick a victim out of money, banking passwords or credit card details. They’re increasing because there are more ways to trick people now with computers and phones, and more people are using the internet.
For example, the latest Scottish Government figures show that in 2019-2020, fraud increased by 23% and since 2010-2011 has gone up by 33%.
One way that highlights that crime in Scotland is not a problem is that overall recorded crime is at the lowest level since the mid 1970s.
This means that crime has been mostly coming down over the last 20 years thanks to less poverty, effective government initiatives and police initiatives. Hate crimes and sexual crimes are an exception to this trend.
For example, total recorded crime in Scotland has decreased by 13%.
One way that highlights that crime in Scotland is not a problem is that knife crime has decreased in the last decade.
In 2009, a programme called No Knives Better Lives (NKBL) was put into place to tackle knife crime. NKBL is a youth engagement programme that aims to prevent violence and knife carrying amongst young people.
For example, in 2024 people are 44% less likely risk injury through stabbing compared to 2009.
One group more likely to commit crime is men.
This can be because of men trying to look tough, but can also be linked to hormones. Men have higher levels of testosterone which makes them more aggressive and prone to risk taking and acting rashly. This aggression makes them more likely to take part in violent crimes.
For example, around 95% of all prisoners in a Scottish prison are male compared to 5% who are female.
One group more likely to commit crime is poor people.
People in poverty might struggle to get by. For those who cannot afford the basics to survive in life they may have little option but to turn to crime to provide what they can’t afford for them or their families.
For example, known as “survival shoplifting” around 25% of all crimes of dishonesty are when people steal from shops - essential items such as food and clothing
