Types of crime

• Laws are needed in a democratic country such as the UK because peoples rights need to be respected
• "Crime" is generally used more for serious criminal acts such as murder, less serious acts such as driving (without proper lights) are called "offences"
• It is important to be aware of the role of the UK Parliament because, MPs in the UK Parliament, in London, make laws that apply throughout the whole of the UK and affect Scotland in areas such as national security
• Types of crime


  • Crimes of dishonesty
  • Non-sexual crimes of violence
  • Sexual offences
  • Damage/reckless behaviour
  • Other crimes
• Crimes of dishonesty


  • house breaking, fraud, theft
• Non-sexual crimes of violence


  • robbery, domestic abuse, serious assault/attempted murder
• Sexual offences


  • sexual assault, rape/attempted rape, indecent photos of children
• Damage/reckless behaviour

  • Vandalism, reckless conduct
• Other crimes


  • fire-raising, drug possession, supply, weapon possession, against public justice
• Crimes relating to theft are much more likely to be reported to the police as the victim will have to report the crime in order to make an insurance claim
• A decrease in crime levels might be a bad thing as still as many crimes could be happening but not as many people are reporting them