Causes of Crime

What is crime? The legal definition? Crime is a very complex problem, and there are many different types of crime, so it is impossible to reduce crime down to one particular cause. All of the causes of crime are inter-related and interlinked

Poverty Poverty is about much more than a lack of money – it is too easy to say that people are poor so they shoplift for food, but this is not really the main connection, this is a simplification. Poverty links to other factors and pushes people closer to committing crime – but always important to note that not all poor people commit crimes. People may have a poorer education, so less likely to get well paid employment. Poor people more likely to suffer from stress and depression – so more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol. More likely to live in a poorer area with a higher crime rate. More likely to feel socially excluded

Social Exclusion When people feel left out of society – left out of social groups – they may feel picked on or discriminated against, this can lead to a build up of resentment. This may be “loners” who feel like they do not belong or whole groups of people who feel left out and feel like the world is unfair. Social exclusion could lead to a rise in hate crime, as poor white people tend to blame people from ethnic minority backgrounds for their problems. It may lead to terrorism, as people from different backgrounds join together to fight against a society they see as unfair It may lead to “loners” carrying out violent crimes in order to be noticed It may lead to rioting – like the London Riots.

Biological Factors Certain scientists claim that criminal behaviour can be determined by the development of the brain – it has been shown that some criminals have brains that function differently from other members of society. There seems to have been a pattern discovered among some violent offenders which would indicate that the pre-frontal cortex is not so well developed. This section of the brain is responsible for the control of emotions and instincts, if it is poorly developed a person may not be able to regulate their anger. This argument has been supported to some extent by studies of twins who have been adopted from birth by different sets of pares

Families People may commit crimes because they have been brought up in “chaotic circumstances”. Most development takes place between the ages of 0 and 3, if a child does not feel loved and secure, if a child is neglected, not given proper nutrition, not communicated with, unhappy, their brain will not develop as quickly as a child from a loving home. This child will fall behind in education from the very beginning, and will be more likely to suffer from chronic ill health in later life. If a child witnesses or suffers violence, physical, emotional; or sexual abuse they may be more likely to “normalise” this behaviour. They may be more likely to end up in abusive relationships, or even to be abusers themselves.

Violent Games and Films Some people argue that playing games for hours on end can cause children’s bodies to be in a state of “chronic stress”, because levels of adrenaline are increased (this is why the games are addictive). Some argue that the depiction of violence in these games gives children the wrong impression about the consequences of violence.

Alcohol and Drugs Studies have shown that alcohol is a feature in the majority of violent crimes in the UK. The effects of alcohol are often reduced inhibition, less ability to reason about the consequences of your actions, meaning that you are more likely to respond with violence. Other drugs may not themselves cause violence, but may be indirectly responsible for some crimes of dishonesty as some users may need to commit crime in order to feed their addiction. Because other drugs are illegal, taking and dealing them are crimes in themselves, and so this increases the levels of recorded crime.

Peer Pressure Some young people may be pressured into crime by the groups that they hang around with – this is a feature of gang crime, and can be dependent on an area where people live. Joining a gang can seem like a necessity for survival in some inner city areas. Furthermore breakdowns of families can lead some young people to want to join gangs in order to feel included and cared for.

Geographical Location Some people commit crime because they live in a high crime area, they may be more likely to get drawn into a life of crime because of the people they live around

Greed Some people just commit crime because they are greedy. Some people commit crime because they get a sense of power or control from hurting other people

Activity Use the cards to show how all of the different causes of crime can link together