CRIME AND THE LAW Flashcards
(18 cards)
2 Ways that Highlight that Crime in Scotland is a Problem
Increased cyber-crime in Scotland over the past 10 years. For example, in 2022-23, 26% if sexual crimes were committed online.
Dishonesty is the largest single type of crime committed in Scotland. For example, in 2022/23, 36% of recorded crimes were related to dishonesty.
Factors which cause crime in the UK
Poverty. For example, shoplifting. This is backed up by evidence showing there was more crime in Dundee and Glasgow in 2022-23 than in Edinburgh.
Peer pressure. For example, young people can feel peer pressured into under-age drinking or illegal drug taking.
Alcohol misuse. For example, in 2021, 60% of young offenders in Polmont said they were drunk at the time of their crime.
2 Reasons why some People are more likely to Commit crime than others
Young males aged between 21-25 are most frequent offenders in the the UK. For example, 80% of crimes are committed by this group.
High crime rated areas. For example, Glasgow and Dundee.
2 Reasons why some People Commit Crime as a Result of Economic Issues
Poverty. For example, Shoplifting. This is backed up by evidence showing there was more crime in Dundee and Glasgow in 2022-23 than in Edinburgh.
Financial difficulties. For example, according to the Scottish Prison Service. 15% of prisoners feel financial pressure such as debt contributed to offending.
2 Biological Factors that can cause Crime
Underdevelopment. For example, evidence shows that the brain does not fully develop until the age of 25 and the part of the brain that makes decisions is the last part to fully develop.
Anger issues. For example, research shows those who commit crime are more likely to get angry or have less understanding of another person’s feelings.
2 Reasons why some People Commit Crime as a Result of Social Causes
Lack or nurture. For example, children on prisoners are three times more likely to engage in anti-social or offending behaviour.
Peer pressure. For example, young people are more likely to experience peer pressure around under-age drinking or illegal drug taking at social events.
2 Consequences of Crime on Communities
Bad reputation. For example, the Glasgow areas of Calton and Parkhead have a reputation for being “rough areas.”
Experiencing fear. For example, the area surrounding Kilmarnock bus station following a serious assault in May 2024.
2 Consequences of Crime in Wider Society
Expensive for government. For example, this increases crime rate results in an increased demand for more prison places.
Bad reputation. For example, Glasgow is known for football violence between Celtic and Rangers when the two teams play each other.
2 Consequences of Crime on Families
Parent may be put in prison. For example, some families may no longer be able to afford their rent or mortgage payments and may lose their family home.
Guilty by association. For example, some families might not feel welcome in their community or are treated differently at work or by their friends.
2 Consequences of Crime on Victims
Traumatised. For example, victims of crime often experience trauma as a result of violent crimes which might need to be treated with medication.
Financial burden. For example, an individual’s ability to do work and earn and income may be affected, and there may be additional ongoing costs related to living with physical and emotional injuries.
2 Ways the Scottish Courts can Punish People
Pass non-custodial sentences. For example, Kilmarnock Sheriff Court regularly imposes fines for crimes of dishonesty and minor assault.
Pass custodial sentences. For example, the High Court in Glasgow regularly imposed custodial sentences for rape and murder.
Why Criminal Courts in Scotland are Effective in Tackling Crime
Make perpetrator pay for their crime. For example, in October 2024 the Sheriff at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court ordered a perpetrator to pay a fine to a victim of assault.
Make the perpetrator reflect on their actions and change their behaviour. For example, many courts refer perpetrators of domestic violence to the Caledonian System.
Support perpetrators with addiction to change their behaviour in the future. For example, if a perpetrator was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol when they committed an offence they could be given support from the court.
2 Roles if the CHS (Children’s Hearing System)
Listen and make and legal decisions with and for infants, children and young people. For example, the panel may decide to impose a compulsory supervision order stating where the young person must live.
Help young people who do not attend school. For example, the panel might devide to have a young person taken to and from school by social work or the police.
2 Ways in Which the Government had Responded to Crime
Launching public awareness campaigns. For example, the ‘Letters from Scotland’ campaign was launched in 2020 to respond to the issue of hate crime.
Working with other agencies. For example, the Violence Reduction Unit and No Knives Better Lives work with schools each year to reduce knife crime.
Why Government Responses to Tackling Crime have been Ineffective
Not tackling cyber-crime effectively. For example, in 2024, the location of perpetrators of cyber-fraud was unknown in 49% of cases.
Not tackling domestic violence effectively. For example, according to Scottish Women’s Aid since 2018-19, Police Scotland has recorded over 60,000 incidents of domestic abuse each year.
Not tackling reoffending effectively. For example, reoffending rates have increased in Scotland from 24% in 2019/20 to 27% in 2024.
2 Ways in which Police have tried to Tackle Crime in the UK
Early intervention strategies. For example community police officers in secondary schools.
Stop and search. For example, this has been effective as Glasgow has reduced the number of knife incidents in the city and surrounding areas since 2017.
2 Reasons why the Police are not Effective in Tackling Crime
Do not fully understand the scale and impact of hate crime. For example, the police watchdog, in 2021, stated that hate crime was not a clear priority for police force.
Lack of trust from the public. For example, public trust in the police across the UK decreased following the kidnapping and murder of Sarah Everard by a Met Police Officer in 2021.
2 Reasons why Alternatives to Prison are an Effective Punishment
Perpetrators less likely to reoffend. For example, Reconviction rates for those serving community sentences are 14% lower for those serving time in jail according to Howard League for Penal Reform.
Focus on rehabilitation and taking responsibility. For example, this gives the victim a voice and the perpetrator a reality check, making it less likely for them to reoffend.
