Crime and law

• What is an impact of crime on communities?

  Social- there is an emotional impact on communities they can suffer from shock and embarrassment. For example Alesha MacPhail got raped and murdered at Isle of Bute which shocked the community
• What is a social cause of crime?

  Gangs- lead to crime as there is peer pressure this can lead to stabbings and shootings. For example London has the highest rate of knife crime and the number of gangs, Woolwich boys
• What group is most likely to experience crime?

  Lesbian/Gay people because of homophobia. People who aren’t straight have been victims of homophobic abuse in society. For example 20% of all hate crimes in 2020 were based on this
• Why are courts not effective in tackling crime?

  High rates reoffending- the people from courts punished have not addressed the reason so go onto commit more crimes. For example Scottish government has had to ban courts from issuing short sentences of less than 12 months as rates were as high as 30%
• Why are prisons an effective punishment?

  Deprieving someone of their freedom is a good form of punishment- Form of justice for the victims who are left to deal with consequences which help the victim achieve closure. For example family of karen Buckley spoke about how they have justice now that the murderer is locked up.
• How are police not tackling crime effectively?

  Not enough has been done to solve older murders- job of the police is to investigate murders but the number of unsolved crimes says otherwise. For example there are around 1000 unsolved murders since 1960 in Scotland
• What is an alternative to a prison sentence?

  community payback order- convicted criminals do unpaid work to help the community for the crime they did (300hours) For example Mark McLean was put on community payback order in 2020 for racist assualt
• How have the governments responses to tackling crime not been effective?

  Knife crime still continues- there continues to be knives being used in Scotland to commit horrible/fatal crimes. no knifes better lives arent doing enough. For example James wright had previous knife convictions going on to stab a father in Paisley
• What is an ecomimic cause of crime?

  Poverty- People aren’t able to afford basic items so they steal things such as food to fulfil their needs. For example around 25% of all cases of dishonesty involve stealing food and clothing
• what is the impact of crime on families?

  socially- families of the victim will feel sad and anxious for a very long time afterwards. for example parents of Sarah everard (a woman who was kidnapped, raped, and murdered) spoke up about how they felt.
• What is a biological cause of crime?

  Hormones- more likely to commit a crime as testerone levels peak at ages of 15-25 which causes aggression. For example around 90% of all prisoners are male compared to 10% who are female.
• What is one way the crime can impact the victim?

  Physically- 24% of young males are more likely to be victims of crimes, this could lead them to death. For example 14 year old Justin Mclaughlin was stabbed and killed in 2021 in Glasgow
• What is an impact of crime on wider society?

  socially- females might have a fear of going out and feel unsafe where they live. For example Sarah everards mum feels unsafe leaving her house in case something happens to her.
• What is a social cause of crime?

  Adverse Childhood Experiences- could be because of abuse or neglection from family members or friends. For example people with 4 or more aces are 6 times more likely to cause unintended teen pregnancy
• Why are prisons not an effective punishment?

  Overcrowding- Many Scotlands prisons are old and Victorian indesign. makes it hard to rehabilitate prisoners and if they don’t feel cared for by society/treated poorly it could cause them to commit crimes. For example more prisoners in prison will also mean more people to learn activity crime from.
• How are the police tackling crime effectively?

  Prevention strategies- like having a police officer, known as ‘campus cops’ these police officers go to secondary schools to teach youngers and deal with problems. For example schools like Prestwick Academy have a police officer who supports students
• Why are prisons an effective punishment?

  Keep the public safe- locking up a dangeeous criminals helps to keep them off the streets who could commit a horrific crime again. For example by locking up Aaron Campbell the police have stopped this potential psychopath from harming others.
• Why are prisons not an effective punishment?

  The cost- costs lots of money to keep someone in prison, better to spent on drug rehabilitation care and education for the perpetrator could benefit on why they are in prison. For example it costs around £35,000 yearly to keep someone in prison in 2019 accordingly to the Scottish government
• Describe the structure and power of the criminal court?

  Sheriff court- Community Payback order. Summary or solemn procedure deal with serious crimes and make them do community work. For example Hamilton sherriff court gave CPO Mark McLean for his racisit behaviour
• What is an impact of crime on communities?

  Economic- People will start loosing money caused from shops closing down which people will then lose their jobs. For example if shops close people will start to lose their jobs so then they will be getting no income
• What is an economic cause of crime?

  Unemployment- Not having a job can lead to crime because they don’t get paid wages to get basic needs. For example in areas of low unemployment there is a higher crime rate, Glasgow Easterhouse
• What is one way that the crime can impact the perpetrator?

  Lack of freedom- Perpetrators can commit crime so serious that the judge feels they should be kept in prison for a long time. For example former police officer Wayne Couzens was given a life sentence for the murder, kidnap and rape of Sarah Everard
• What is the impact of crime on wider society?

  Distrust in police force- the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving policeman on his own made woman scared to approach the police because they dont trust the police to keep them safe.
• What is a social cause of crime?

  Alcohol- May be peer pressure from friends or family so they do it to ‘fit in’. For example the Scottish government found just under 50% of violent crime was commited whilst someone was drunk in 2017/18
• Describe the role of criminal courts?

  Punish- After deciding if someone is guilty or not they must decide what punishment they will get. For example Mark McLean got Community Payback Order for racist and abusive behaviours
• Describe a role of the criminal court?

  Provide Justice- Courts have a responsibility to make sure the right person is convicted and who has been harmed. For example Julie Reillys family said after the trial at Glasgow High Court that they felt justice because the killer Andrew Wallace was convicted
• What is a role of the Child’s Hearing System?

  Have the reporter investigate any refferals- Look into any allegations and concerns then gather evidence and make a decision for the panel to be held. For example 75% of all referrals come from the police
• What is a role of the Child’s Hearing System? 


  Organise a panel- The reporter must decide if a panel should be organise. If yes then they must contact the child’s school or family. For example in attendance of a meeting there are always 3 members, the child, a social worker and a teacher or family member
• What is a role of the police?

  Prevent crime- police officers work with young people in schools to prevent drug and knife crimes. For example 87 community police officers working in schools in Scotland
• Describe the structure and power of the criminal court?

  One court is the Justice of Peace which Fine offenders. Less serious criminal cases, summary procedure and small fines given out. For example it can give out a fine for £2,500 for petty theft
• What is a category of crime in Scotland?

  Non- Sexual violent crimes- Violence against a person or property that US harmful in nature not sexual. For example Julie Reilly from Glasgow was murdered by Andrew Wallace who chopped her up and buried her in a suitcase
• What is another category of crime in Scotland?

  Sexual Offences- Violence against a person, often very harmful in nature and sexual. For example Scottish Film Star Kevin Guthrie was jailed after sexually assaulting a women in a flat
• How is rehabilitation effective for criminals?

  They will gain work skills which will hopefully help them which will stop them from re-offending. For example one of the work skills they can learn is how to communicate with people and having conversations
• What is a economic cause of crime?

  Greed- Can lead to crime as people want luxury items that they cant afford so they commit fraud to get it. For example Natalie Mcgarry emblezzled £25,600 from charities and went on a holiday to Spain with it
• What is the structure of police jobs?

  Chief Constable

  Chief Superindendent

  Deputy Chief Constable

  Inspector

  Sergeant

  Constable
• What is a role of the police?

  Investigate crime- Police use forensic science to find evidence to match a suspect to a crime. For example one of the Forensic sciences they could use is Trainer tracking
• What courts deal with the most serious and least serious crimes?

  Least serious- Justice of Peace

  Most serious- High Court
• What is an alternative to a prison sentence?

  Electronic Tag- they wear a gps around their ankle which gives them given location and times they have to stay in. For example there were nearly 3,000 restricted licence orders in 2017/18
• What is another alternative to a prison sentence?

  Home detention curfew- they can go out at restricted times and only certain areas. For example offenders with an electronic tag are often given an HDC as well to record their movement
• What are 2 types of sentences?

  Custodial- Someone is sent to prison

  Non Custodial- Doesn’t include jail normally a fine, curfew or community service