CRIME

• Theft is still common, but computers and modern transport create change.
• There are now different weapons involved in violent crime.
• When did drunk driving first become an offence?

  1872
• Smuggling cigarettes and alcohol is seen as a social crime.
• People also smuggle illegal drugs and traffic people.
• Cybercrime contains offences such as theft, fraud and extortion, which are 'old' crimes. The difference is that these crimes are on a larger scale and create problems for the police as they are international.
• The development of modern weapons, transport and communication put more ordinary people at risk of terrorist attack.
• The crime of drunk driving is a continuity but has developed as horse-drawn coaches were replaced with vehicles.
• 'New' crimes arose due to changing attitudes and modern technology.
• 1968 Race Relations Act - made it illegal to discriminate against people on the grounds of race, religion or belief.
• The Racial + Religious Hatred Act (2006) made certain acts race crimes.
• The Criminal Justice Act (2005) gave criminal courts the power to give more severe sentences to hate crimes.
• Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) - Taking/supplying some substances illegal in the UK.

  The criminalisation of drugs was controversial.
• Driving Offences

  • More vehicles and technology
  • Influence of drugs/alcohol
  • Driving without insurance, MOT or licence
  • Speeding
  • Ignoring traffic lights, road signs, etc
  • Driving while using phone