Crime and the law (Mods)

• One type of crime in the UK is white-collar crime. This type of crime is done by people in responsible jobs such as banking, and can have huge consequences on a number of people. For example, Mary Booth embezzled more than £350,000 from the Red Cross from 2008-2015.
• Another type of crime in the UK is organised crime. These are crimes committed in an organised manner rather than through opportunity, and it is usually severely punished. For example, in 2016 the Edinburgh Evening News reported that Human Trafficking was Edinburgh’s “biggest hidden crime”.
• Another type of crime in the UK is Cybercrime. These are crimes that involve using the internet, ranging from illegally downloading music to identity theft. For example, in 2014, 500 million Yahoo users were victims of cyber-attack when their email accounts were compromised
• One category of crime in Scotland is non-sexual crimes of violence. This category of crime includes some of the most serious types of crime that often cause a lot of harm and are very violent in nature but are not sexual in nature. Crimes included in this category are murder, serious assault and robbery. For example the murder of nursing student Karen Buckley in Glasgow after she left the sanctuary nightclub is an example of crime included in this category.
• One type of crime in Scotland is Drug offences. These are categorised by the Scottish government under the crime category of Other. These offences can include the creation, possession, distribution and supply of illegal substances such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis. For example, a man called Mark Renton was sentenced to jail in the High Court in 2017 in Edinburgh for the possession and supply of drug
• One type of crime in Scotland is Murder. Murder is the deliberate killing of another human being and is often quite violent in nature. This crime is viewed to be one of the worst crimes that someone could commit in Scotland. For example Paige Doherty was murdered in Clydebank by John Lethan after she went into ask for a job. He was sentenced to life in prison for her murder
• In recent years the rate of crime overall has been going down. What this means is that overall the total numbers of recorded crime have decreased in Scotland meaning that perhaps fewer crimes are being committed, Scotland is safer and the police, courts and government may have been having some success tackling crime. For example crime has decreased 3% between 2015 and 2016 but by 38% between 2007 and 2017.
• One point about serious violent crime is that it represents a very small amount of total crime that happens in Scotland. Violent serious crime includes the categories of non-sexual violent crime and sexual offences with types of crime such as murder, serious assault, rape and prostitution. Overall they make up a small percentage of overall crime. For example Non sexual crimes of violence represents only 3% of all recorded crime while for sexual offences it is 5% of all recorded crime.
• One reason why some people might be more affected by crime than others is if they live in poverty. This means if you are from a lower social class, you have a higher chance of being a victim of crime.
• About 4.5% of the whole Scottish population are victims of crime but 21% of poorer people are victims of crime. The higher social classes can afford to live in safer areas, buy alarms and cctv,

  take private transport and generally live safer lives. For example the risk of being a victim of any crime was higher for those adults living in the 15% most deprived areas of Scotland such as in Ferguslie Park.
• One reason why some people might be more affected by crimes is because of transphobia in society. Someone who is transgender knows that they have been born into the wrong body and that society expects them to act in ways that they don’t feel is natural.
• Transgender people will often be abused, beaten or killed because they refuse to live a lie. They will be victims of crime often because of their transgender identity. For example Caitlyn Jenner who recently came out as transgender was verbally assaulted after an awards show in London in 2017 with transphobic language and the police are investigating this hate crime.
• One category of crime in Scotland is crime of dishonesty. This category of crime can include a mix of smaller less serious crimes as well as very serious crimes. The main thing that they have in common is that they tend to cheat an individual, group or company out of money property or trick them into something. For example the serious crimes of embezzlement and fraud are included as are less serious crimes such as shoplifting
• One social cause of crime is alcohol abuse. This can cause crime because people who are drunk are more likely to make bad decisions or participating in anti-social behaviour. For example, 41% of prisoners were drunk at the time of arrest.
• Another social cause of crime is peer pressure. People, especially young people, can be encourage to commit crimes or make bad decisions by their peers. This can cause crime as they may feel that they have no choice and they have to do it to impress their friends. For example, since 2014 knife crime has increased by 48% in London, with up to 14 knife attacks a day by children of school age in 2018.
• Another social cause of crime is social environment. This means that if the environment in which people live and are raised have abuse, violence and drugs present then crime may follow. For example, murder is the most common cause of death among young men in Calton and Easterhouse in Glasgow.
• One economic cause of crime is poverty. This means that when poorer familes cannot afford food or material goods, people may resort to crime to meet basic needs. For example, the Scottish Prison Service found that one in nine young men from the most deprived areas in Scotland will spend time in prison before they are 23.
• Another economic cause of crime is unemployment. This means that young people who are not in school or employment may be more likely to get involved in crime, as a source of income and as a result in lack of prospects. For example, a study conducted in 2014 found that 22% of people claiming out of work benefits had been to prison or convicted of an offence in the previous 12 years.
• Another economic cause of crime is deprivation. This means that a lack of material basic necessities may cause people to resort to crime. For example, Glasgow has 56 of the 100 most deprived areas in Scotland, and in 2016-17 was also the city with the highest overall crime rate.
• One biological cause of crime is the XYY Chromosome. This means that while most men are born with XY chromosomes, studies have shown that those with an additional Y chromosome are more aggressive. For example, there are 15 sufferers per 1000 in prisons while only 1 per 1000 in the general population.
• Another biological cause of crime is the warrior gene. This can cause crime because it affects the chemicals in the brain relating to mood and behaviour. For example, a study from Florida State University showed that when boys carry the MAOA gene they are more likely to join and be the most violent members in gangs.
• Another biological cause of crime is gender. This may cause crime as all crimes types are more likely to be committed by men. This may be because of biological factors or social pressures. For example, in 2019, 84% of violent crime in England and Wales were committed by men.
• One consequence of crime on perpetrators is the revolving door theory. This means that committing crime can have a long term impact that makes them poor and therefore likely to commit crime again. They can enter a ‘revolving door’ of prison, poverty, prison. For example, when Nicolas Robinson stole a case of bottled water he served 6 months in prison which restricted him when he is out of prison.
• Another consequence of crime on perpetrators is financial impact. This means that perpetrator may lose their job or struggle to get a job after being released from prison. For example, only around a quarter (26.5%) of prisoners enter employment after release.
• Another consequence of crime on perpetrators is poor mental health. Prisoners may suffer poor mental health due to the environment in prison or the limited contact with family. For example, there were 40161 incidents of self-harm in UK prisons in 2016.
• One consequence of crime on victims is a financial impact. This means that victims may need to pay for things they might otherwise not have to spend money on, such as to replace stolen items or have an increase in insurance premiums. For example, following a burglary, people may invest in expensive alarms and cameras to prevent it happening again.
• Another consequence of crime on victims is a physical impact. This means that when a person is hurt through a crime they can often become wounded or face loss of life. For example, Stuart McGeachie lost his life in a stabbing attack in Rutherglen in 2023.
• Another consequence of crime on victims is an emotional impact. This means that if you are a victim you may feel powerless and helpless. Emotional impacts of crime often last longer than physical impacts and can lead to poor mental health. For example, the NHS spends £105 billion on mental health per year.
• One consequence of crime on families is a bad reputation. This means that families may be stigmatised for being associated with the offender and can be treated negatively by their communities. For example, this can often lead to mental health issues with 25% of children 11+ being at high risk of mental health problem.
• Another consequence of crime on families may be losing their loved ones. This means that if their family member has been a victim of a violent crime then they may end up wounded or having lost their lives. For example, the family of Alfie Lewis gave statements surrounding his murder in 2023 and the impact he had on their lives.
• One consequence of crime for the community is fear. An outbreak of violent crime in an area will lead some in the community to be less likely to leave their homes in the evenings or allow their children out as they may be concerned for their safety. For example, people may move homes to feel more safe and house prices in the area are then likely to fall.
• Another consequence of crime for the community is a negative reputation. People may start to stereotype individuals from areas of high crime, leading to social problems and a lack of opportunities there. For example, businesses will not want to set up in areas with high crime rates, which will limit employment opportunities.
• Another consequence of crime on communities is an impact on house prices. This means that house prices are affected because homeowners may find it harder to sell their properties and home insurance premiums may be higher. For example, the local council has tried to regenerate Ferguslie – they have invested millions on new council housing.
• One consequence of crime for wider society is tax increased. There can be tax increases due to an increase in the need for prisons and the police. For example, Andrew Wallace was sentenced to 28 years in prison for murdering Julie Reilly. His sentence will cost Scottish Government over £900, 000 in total. 
• Another consequence of crime for wider society is a culture of fear across the nation. An increase in crime can cause tension across the nation, which leads to problems with various communities and groups of people possibly being discriminated against. For example, Scottish parents became more fearful about their children after Alisha McPhail’s murder.
• One court in Scotland is the High Court which is responsible for dealing with the most serious of crimes. This means that because this court deals with the most serious cases in Scotland and will always have a judge and jury. There is no limit to the fine or sentence that can be imposed on someone. For example Alexander Pacteau was given a life sentence for killing Irish nursing student Karen Buckley at the high court in Glasgow.
• 1One type of court in Scotland is the Sheriff Court which deals with serious crimes. Depending on how serious the crime is depends if there is just a judge or if there is also a jury. As there are two procedures used in this court they tend to be the busiest of the three criminal courts in Scotland. For example, they can deal with theft, assault and possession of drugs.
• One role of the Children’s Hearing System is to have the reporter investigate any referrals. It is the job of the reporter look into any allegations or concerns that have been forwarded onto the hearing system. They will gather evidence and statements and only then make the decision if a panel should be held. For example, if the police were concerned about the behaviour of a young person then it would refer to the reporter who would then investigate and decide if it is in the interests of the child to go further. According to the hearing system 75% of all referrals come from the police.
• A role of the Children Hearing System is to organise a panel. After a referral and an investigation, the reporter must decide if a panel should be organised. If this is the case then they will contact all the people that are involved including the panel members, the child’s school, the child and their family. For example, in attendance at a meeting you will always have the 3 panel members who are volunteers but you will also almost always have a teacher, the child, a social worker, a safe-guarder and the family.
• One other role of the Children Hearing System is to support a child who has been referred and act in their best interest. This means it is not the job of the children’s panel to decide if a young person is guilty or not guilty of committing a crime. They are there to support the best interests of the child and advise what is best for the child. The setting supports a young person because it is usually informal. For example, the meetings do not take place in a court but in a school or community centre to make it a more supportive environment.