Topic 11: Crime and locality

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

Rural areas tend to contain relatively close-knit communities where people are able to exercise far higher levels of personal social control over people that they know. In urban areas, the opposite may be true, insofar as most social relationships tend to be relatively impersonal and hence lacking in close personal ties. In such areas, the influence of informal social controls may be much weaker.

Question 2

Conclusion

Answer 2

Hobbs and Lister - the ‘nocturnal economy’. They point out that in the last fifteen years there has been a huge growth in pubs and clubs, where people consume alcohol, and possibly also drugs and to enjoy oneself. Almost three quarters of all violent incidents in urban areas occur during the weekend between 9pm and 3am, usually by and between groups of young males fuelled by drink and/or drugs.