Ethnicity

• Official statistics

  Ethnic minorities are over-represented and white people are under-represented.

  Issues - no reason given for the over-representation of ethnic minorities.
• Victim surveys 


  Intra-ethnic crime is common.

  Issues - rely on victim’s memory, only cover personal crimes.
• Self report 


  Levels of crime of offending are similar across ethnic groups.

  Issues - arguably invalid as people may not be be truthful.
• Stop and Search

  Ethnic minorities are more likely to be stopped and searched.
• Arrests and Cautions

  Ethnic minorities more likely to deny the offence and exercise their right to legal advice -> more likely to be charged.

  More likely to be let off without caution due to being arrested with no justification.
• Prosecution

  Bowling & Phillips - white suspects more likely to be taken to court. Perhaps due to evidence against ethnic minorities presented by police being weaker and based on stereotyping.
• Trial

  Ethnic minorities more likely to elect for a trial before a jury rather than a magistrates court, perhaps due to mistrust in magistrates impartiality.
• Convictions

  Black and Asian dependents are less likely to be found guilty. Perhaps due to lack of evidence.
• Pre-sentence report 


  Hudson & Bramhall - PSRs allow for unwitting discrimination.
• Sentencing

  Custodial sentences given to a larger proportion of black offenders compared to white offenders.
• Prison

  Ethnic minorities less likely to be granted bail while awaiting trial.

  Over-representation of ethnic minorities throughout criminal justice system -> over-representation in prisons.
• Lea & Young

  Left realists -> official statistics accurately reflect crime.

  Racism -> marginalisation -> economic exclusion -> higher levels of unemployment, poverty and poor housing -> crime to gain things through illegitimate means / frustration.
• Gilroy

  Myth of black criminality:

  Ethnic minority crime can be seen as a form of political resistance against a racist society.
• Hall et al


  Moral panic surrounding mugging, which was associated with black youth. This group was scapegoated to distract from the capitalist crisis.