crime and the law Flashcards
(27 cards)
Explain, in detail, two reasons why some people commit
crime as a result of economic issues.
An economic cause of crime is greed. Individuals may commit
a crime due to greed as they may have a selfish desire to
possess more material goods or live a life that they cannot
afford. For example, in 2022, Fiona Barclay stole £100,000
from Manchester City Football Club to pay for her wedding,
she had worked in business development for the Club.
Another economic cause of crime is unemployment.
Unemployment can lead to financial strain, poverty and
economic instability. Individuals who experience financial
difficulties may resort to illegal activities in order to meet
their basic needs. For example, a study by Essex University
found that a 1% decrease in unemployment caused the auto
theft rate to fall by 3.8% and a decline of 2.8% in the burglary rate.
Describe, in detail, two biological factors that can cause crime.
A biological cause of crime is sex. Men have higher levels of
the hormone testosterone than women which makes them
historically more aggressive and prone to higher risk-taking,
as such, men dominate violent crimes such as murder and
serious assault. For example, in 2022, the Office for National
Statistics (ONS) reported that in the last 3 years, 93% of those
convicted of homicide in the UK were men.
A biological cause of crime is the Warrior Gene (MAOA).
Research has suggested that individuals with this genetic
variant may have an increased predisposition towards
impulsive and aggressive behaviour, especially when
provoked or challenged. For example, men with the Warrior
Gene were found to be 13 times more likely to have a history of violent behaviour.
Explain, in detail, two reasons why some people commit
crime as a result of social issues.
A social cause of crime is upbringing and having a lack of
nurture. Individuals who grow up in a household with family
members involved in crime are themselves more likely to
become involved in crime. For example, the BBC reported
that individuals with adverse childhood experiences were 15
times more likely to commit an act of violence and 20 times
more likely to end up in prison.
Another social cause of crime is peer pressure. Negative peer
influence and involvement in delinquent social networks can
significantly impact an individual’s likelihood of engaging in criminal activities. For example, recent studies have suggested that peer pressure plays a key role in many young people joining criminal gangs in Glasgow
Describe, in detail, two consequences of crime on victims.
A consequence of crime on victims is that they may
experience emotional trauma. If a victim has been subject to
a serious or violent crime it could lead to a range of health
issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, relationship
problems and depression. For example, in 2022 the ONS
found that 21.1% of adults who had been the victim of a
crime suffered from depression, this compares with 12% of
people who had not been the victim of any crime.
Another consequence of crime on victims is a physical
consequence. Crimes such as acid attacks can have a
devastating physical impact on victims and can change their
physical appearance. This may lead to mental health issues
and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. For example, in 2022, 17-year-old, Modinat Raji was attacked with acid in London which resulted in severe burns to her face.
Describe, in detail, two consequences of crime for the
perpetrators.
A consequence of crime on perpetrators is that they may
suffer from guilt or shame as a result of their actions. Some
offenders may develop symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and may experience intrusive thoughts
related to the crime they committed. Some perpetrators may also turn to substance abuse or addictive behaviours as a way to cope with the negative psychological impact of their actions.
Another consequence of crime on perpetrators is that they
can lose contact with their family and friends. Being
sentenced to prison as a result of committing crime will
affect their relationships. This could lead to increased
feelings of isolation and mental health issues which could
hinder the offender’s rehabilitation. In addition, perpetrators may be disowned by their family and friends due to the stigma of having committed a crime.
Describe, in detail, two consequences of crime on families.
(6 marks). 2022
One consequence of crime on families is that a parent may
be put in prison. This in some cases could be the loss of the
‘breadwinner’ who the family rely on, and the family may
struggle to survive as a result. For example, some families
may no longer be able to afford their rent or mortgage
payments and may lose their family home.
Another consequence of crime on families is that they may
have to care for their family member if they have been
severely injured or disabled in an attack. This may result in
family members taking time off work or potentially becoming
a full-time carer which could put an additional financial strain
on the family. For example, after being paralysed in an attack
by her ex-boyfriend, Angel Lynn required her parents to give
her round-the-clock care from her parents
Describe, in detail, two consequences of crime on
communities.
(4 marks). 2017
A consequence of crime on communities is that it may lead to people moving away from the area. Individuals who live in an
area of high crime may choose to leave the area as they do
not want to live in an area of high crime and may be fearful
they will be a victim of crime themselves. The desire of
people to leave areas of high crime may lead to house prices
in the area decreasing as potential homebuyers also do not wish to live in the area.
A consequence of crime on communities is that the local area can gain a negative reputation. This may mean that local businesses may want to relocate or leave the area. People, including business owners, may start to stereotype
individuals from these areas, leading to a lack of
opportunities. This will limit employment opportunities
which may lead to increased unemployment
Describe, in detail, two consequences of crime on wider
society.
(4 marks). 2021
A consequence of crime on wider society is that it is very
expensive for the government. Crime can result in lost
revenue for the government. For example, HMRC reported
that the UK lost approximately £40 billion in 2023 due to tax
evasion. This is money that the government could potentially
spend on the country’s priorities such as health and
education.
Another consequence of crime on wider society is that the
UK Government must spend more money on the prison
system. Increases in crime rates result in an increased demand for more prison places and more prisons being built.
In 2023, the UK government spent over £6 billion on its
prison system
Describe, in detail, two roles of the police in Scotland.
(4 marks).
A role of the police in Scotland is to protect the public. Police
may be deployed to protect the public during large political
or sporting events or during demonstrations or protests, this
aims to ensure that people are protected and don’t break the
law. For example, Police Scotland deployed more officers
during the 2024 Scottish Cup final between Rangers and
Celtic to ensure there was no violence between fans.
A role of police is to prevent crime from taking place. They
may do this through having an increased police presence in
areas where crime is more likely to take place. Studies have
suggested visible police patrols can reduce crime, but only if
it is targeted in crime “hot spots” where crime is
concentrated
Describe, in detail, two ways in which the police have tried
to tackle crime.
(4 marks) 2016
The police have tried to tackle crime in the UK by using CCTV.
This allows the police to record the actions of the public and
helps to identify and charge more offenders. A study by the
College of Policing found that CCTV led to a decrease in
crime, with areas with CCTV seeing a decrease of 13%
compared to areas without.
Another way the police have tried to tackle crime is through
their use of stop and search. Stop and search powers enable
the police to search individuals who they suspect of carrying
a weapon, stolen goods, or illegal drugs. This can help the
police target areas or individuals where crime is an issue to
help confiscate dangerous or prohibited items
Describe, in detail, two powers of the police. (4 marks).
A power of the police is stop and search. Stop and search
powers enable the police to search individuals who they
suspect of carrying a weapon, stolen goods, or illegal drugs.
This can help the police target areas or individuals where
crime is an issue to help confiscate dangerous or prohibited items.
Another power of the police is the power of entry and search
of premises. Police can be granted a warrant which allows
them to search property and seize items relevant to their
investigation such as weapons, drugs, laptops or phones. For
example, in 2024, police seized cocaine worth £1.8 million
after gaining a warrant to search a premises in the
Robroyston area of Glasgow
Explain, in detail, two reasons why the police in Scotland
are effective in tackling crime.
(6 marks). 2021
The police in Scotland are effective in tackling crime due to
their use of early intervention strategies to try and prevent
crime. This may include community policing such as officers
in Scottish secondary schools. This is effective because young
people may be more likely to report criminal activity having
established a positive relationship with the police officer.
Another reason the police have been effective is that their
presence can help to reduce and prevent crime. Visible police
patrol can reduce crime and act as a deterrent. A study found
that police visibility in crime hot spots can be effective at
reducing crime as 62 out of 78 studies included in the review
reported that crime fell in the locations targeted
Explain, in detail, two reasons why the police are not effective in tackling crime.
(6 marks). 2023
The police are not effective in tackling crime as racial hate crime figures have been rising in recent years. Racially aggravated hate crime is the most commonly reported type of hate crime in Scotland. This type of hate crime increased by 4.6% in 2023-24.
The police have also not been effective in tackling crime as they have received criticism for not doing enough to protect women and ethnic minorities. Police Scotland have been accused of being institutionally racist and sexist. The Scottish Police Authority have stated that as a result, public trust and confidence in the police has declined
Describe, in detail, two ways in which the government has
tried to tackle crime.
(4 marks) 2016
The government has tried to tackle crime through the Serious
Organised Crime Taskforce. This initiative aims to detect and
deter organised crime groups in Scotland who may be
causing harm to communities. The government has given the
police additional powers to seize assets from these groups
and invest them in community projects.
Another way the government has tried to tackle crime is by
taking a public health approach to dealing with crime. The
Scottish Violence Reduction Unit was set up to tackle violent
crime in Scotland by taking a public health approach. This
initiative saw a fall in violent crime as when it was launched
there were 137 homicides in Scotland, in 2023, it had fallen to 58.
Explain, in detail, why the government’s response to crime
has been effective. (6 marks).
The government has been effective in tackling crime as it has
managed to reduce violent crime by taking a public health
approach. The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit was set up to
tackle violent crime in Scotland by taking a public health
approach. This initiative saw a fall in violent crime as when it
was launched there was 137 homicides in Scotland, in 2023,
it had fallen to 58.
The government has also been effective in tackling crime as
the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce (SOCT) has disrupted
organised criminal gangs across Scotland. A report published
by the Scottish Government in 2023 praised the Cashback for
Communities initiative as part of the SOCT Taskforce. For
example, since 2008, over £130 million has been recovered
from criminal gangs and invested into communities across Scotland.
Explain, in detail, why the government’s responses to
tackling crime have been ineffective.
(8 marks). 2019
The government’s response to crime has been ineffective as
violent crime has been increasing. This is despite the
governments focus on reducing violent crime via the Violent
Reduction Unit. In 2023-24, non-sexual crimes of violence
increased by 4% on the previous year. This is 9% higher than
it was in 2013-14 and suggests the government has not been
effective.
The government has also been ineffective in tackling crime as
despite introducing initiatives to tackle alcohol related crime,
this remains high. The government have introduced a range of measures such as Count 14 and Minimum Unit Pricing to
reduce alcohol abuse and its link to crime. However, a report
by the Scottish Public Health Observatory found that alcohol
still played a major role in violent crime in Scotland
Describe, in detail, the purpose of prisons in the UK.
(4 marks).
A purpose of prisons in the UK is to protect the public. Those
who commit serious offences such as murder will be sent to
prison in order to protect the wider public. Incarcerating
these individuals helps to remove these dangerous
individuals from society.
Another purpose of prisons is to reduce reoffending. Prisons
offer rehabilitation programmes to provide prisoners with
training, support and education. This aims to help give
prisoners skills so that they can effectively re-integrate into
society upon their release
Explain, in detail, two reasons why prisons are an effective
punishment. (6 marks).
Prisons are effective as they remove dangerous people from
society. People who commit murders are given life sentences
and are often sent to high security prisons, such as HMP
Shotts. This means that people in society feel reassured and
the perpetrator is given opportunity for rehabilitation.
Prisons are also effective as they provide opportunities for
the rehabilitation of offenders. Prisons will offer educational
or vocational programmes to give offenders the opportunity
to learn new skills and gain qualifications. This will provide
them with important skills which they can use when they
leave prison and re-integrate back into society and aims to
reduce the rate of reoffending
Explain, in detail, two reasons why prisons are ineffective in
dealing with offenders. (6 marks).
Prisons are not an effective punishment as some argue they
are not effective at rehabilitating offenders. Prison sentences
can increase the likelihood of reoffending due to disruptions
to family life, employment and future employment
opportunities. This may have a negative impact on offenders’
mental health and wellbeing and does not address the root
causes of their offending.
Prisons are not effective as they are understaffed and
overcrowded. This can make it difficult for prisoners to get
the support they need through educational and rehabilitation
programmes. In 2024, the Scottish Prison Service reported
that they were over capacity in many prisons and that the
prison population was ‘abnormally high.
Describe, in detail, two alternatives to prison. (4 marks).
An alternative to prison is a Community Payback Order (CPO).
People subject to a CPO can be ordered to carry out between
20 and 300 hours of unpaid work. Terms of a CPO can also
give offenders support with the root causes of their
offending such as substance abuse or anger issues.
Another alternative to prison is a Home Detention Curfew
(HDC). This usually involves a curfew which requires the
offender to stay at home during specified hours. The
standard curfew is 7pm to 7am and is enforced through
electronic monitoring
Explain, in detail, why other punishments are being used as
alternatives to prison sentences in the UK.
(8 marks).
Alternatives to prison are being used as the perpetrator is
less likely to reoffend. Community Payback Orders (CPOs)
give offenders access to programmes to help with the causes
of offending. Reconviction rates for those serving community
sentences are 14% lower than for those serving time in jail,
according to the Howard League for Penal Reform.
Alternatives to prison are used as they are more cost-
effective than prisons. A report published by the Scottish
Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) found that, on
average, it cost £46, 696 to keep an offender in prison for a
year. Alternatives to prison such as home detention curfews
and community payback orders cost significantly less. It may
be argued that this offers more value for money to the
taxpayer
Describe, in detail, two different ways that Scottish courts
can punish people.
(4 marks). 2015
Courts can punish people by convicting criminals and sending
them to prison. The Sheriff Court can sentence someone for
up to 5 years. However, if the Sheriff feels this is an
insufficient penalty then they can refer the case to a High
Court where a life sentence is possible.
Courts can also punish people by issuing a community
payback order. People subject to a CPO can be ordered to
carry out between 20 and 300 hours of unpaid work, this can
be completed in their free time if they are in full or part time
work. For example, in 2024, offender Liam Stark was given a
CPO with 300 hours of unpaid work after being found guilty
of assaulting an 88-year-old woman while working as a carer
Explain, in detail, why the criminal courts in Scotland are
effective in tackling crime.
(8 marks). 2019
Criminal courts in Scotland are effective in tackling crime as
they have the power to imprison people. The three different
types of courts have different sentencing powers. For
example, the High Court can impose an unlimited fine and a
life sentence while a Sheriff Court can sentence someone for
up to 5 years. This is effective as people who commit serious
crimes are suitably punished and the public is kept safe.
Criminal courts are also effective in tackling crime as they can
issue a Community Payback Order (CPO) to offenders. People subject to a CPO can be ordered to carry out between 20 and 300 hours of unpaid work, this can be completed in their free time if they are in full or part time work. A CPO may order an offender to attend regular appointments with a criminal justice social worker who can address what makes them offend. This is effective in tackling crime as it can offer
offenders the opportunity to participate in rehabilitation
programmes such as drug and alcohol treatment, anger
management and counselling. This can help them address
the root causes of their reoffending
