Crime and the law

Question 1

What are social causes of crime?

Answer 1

-Drug addiction
-Peer pressure
- Experienced problems in their childhood cause by family background, eg, where parents are dependent on alcohol or drugs

Question 2

What are economic causes of crime?

Answer 2

-People living in poverty (could be more likely to steal)
-Higher income groups may be more likely to commit white collar crimes like fraud

Question 3

What are Biological causes of crime?

Answer 3

-Hormone imbalance
-Warrior gene (MAOA)
-Learning difficulties
-Mental health issues

Question 4

What is the children’s hearing system?

Answer 4

The Children’s Hearing System aims to help children and young people under 18 who have problems in their life. For example, they may need care and protection, or be in trouble with the police or at school.

Question 5

What is the roles of the children’s hearing system?

Answer 5

-Support families
-Protect the safety and welfare of children
-To help with young people who are not attending school

Question 6

Advantages of prison?

Answer 6

-People who break the law are punished by having their freedom taken away from them
-A potential prison sentence acts as a deterrent to criminals, so reduces crime

Question 7

Disadvantages of prison?

Answer 7

-Imprisonment is very expensive
-Prison does not actually deter people from committing crime or re-offending

Question 8

Consequences of crime on perpetrators?

Answer 8

-May lose home
-May be required to pay a fine
-May lose family support and friends
-People lose their jobs

Question 9

Consequences of crime on victims?

Answer 9

-Mental health issues
-Physical injuries (hospitalized)
-Financial issues (burglary)

Question 10

Consequences of crime on families?

Answer 10

-Anger or frustration
-When a family member goes to prison may result in a drop in income
-Impacts the pattern of their life as their son, daughter etc

Question 11

Consequences of crime on communities?

Answer 11

-Reputation suffer
-Crime can damage community spirit (may be afraid to go out)
-Areas with high levels of crime can become run down due to high levels of vandalism and graffiti

Question 12

Consequences of crime on wider society?

Answer 12

-Impact on business (Crimes such as shoplifting and fraud cost businesses in the UK billions of pounds each year)
-Costs of crime Crime (approximately £60 billion each year)

Question 13

What are some alternatives to prison?

Answer 13

-Fines
-Electronic tag
-Community payback order

Question 14

What has the Scottish and UK government done to reduce crime?

Answer 14

-CCTV in town centres
-Speed cameras
-Neighbourhood watch
-Tags/alternatives to prison

Question 15

What are the roles of the police?

Answer 15

-Investigating crimes
-Arresting criminals
-Reducing violence and antisocial behaviour
-Managing traffic and reducing road crime

Question 16

What are the powers of the police?

Answer 16

-Power to arrest
-Power of entry
-Power to stop and search
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Question 17

Police measures to reduce crime?

Answer 17

-Patrolling streets
-Promoting crime prevention
-Monitoring roads
-Being present at public marches, football games etc

Question 18

What are some reasons why alternatives to prison are an effective punishment?

Answer 18

-Perpetrator is less likely to reoffend
-Prison only creates more
criminals
-More cost effective ― money can be spent elsewhere tackling
crime
-Rehabilitation

Question 19

What are reasons why the police are not effective in tackling crime?

Answer 19

-Institutionalised racism/sexism
-high profile failures leading to
lack of trust
-organised crime