Lesson starter Some people are affected by crime more than others. Explain, in detail, two reasons why some people are affected by crime more than others. 6 marks

The purpose of an EXPLAIN question is to describe WHY something happens and not just what happens.

Some people are affected by crime more than others Some people are affected by crime more than others. One reason why this is the case is that they live in an area with a high rate of poverty. Areas that have high levels of poverty almost always have higher crime levels, and it follows from this that people who live in areas with high levels of poverty are statistically more likely to be affected by crime. For instance, a report by the UK Governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2017 linked poverty with crime. Another reason why some people are affected by more crime than others is that they come from a family with a history of crime. If a child is brought up in a family with a habitual offender as a parent or guardian, then it very likely that this will effect their future prospects. For instance, a young man who has visited his father in prison might normalise criminal behaviours and institutions.

Some people are affected by crime more than others Some people are affected by crime more than others. One reason why this is the case is that they live in an area with a high rate of poverty. Areas that have high levels of poverty almost always have higher crime levels, and it follows from this that people who live in areas with high levels of poverty are statistically more likely to be affected by crime. For instance, the UK Governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2017 linked poverty with crime. Another reason why some people are affected by more crime than others is that they come from a family with a history of crime. If a child is brought up in a family with a habitual offender as a parent or guardian, then it very likely that this will effect their future prospects. For instance, a young man who has visited his father in prison might normalise criminal behaviours and institutions.

Alcohol and Crime

Identifying the precise role of alcohol in offending is difficult, however, it has been estimated that 40% of violent crime; 78% of assaults and 88% of criminal damage cases are committed while the offender is under the influence of alcohol.

Problem in Scotland is particularly bad as almost a fifth more alcohol is sold per adult in Scotland than in England and Wales. Scottish Government figures show that the impact on crime and anti-social behaviour is equally stark, with statistics showing that over 40 per cent of prisoners (including 60 per cent of young offenders) were drunk at the time of their offence.

The estimated number of violent crimes in Scotland was 186,000 in 2014/15 and 54% of these incidents were said to have occurred under the influence of alcohol, a higher proportion than in England

Questions

Watch this interesting video and take notes: https://www. youtube

Firstly, The Alcohol (Scotland) Act 2011 put a ban on the number of discount offers for alcohol the Alcohol and Minimum Pricing (Scotland) Act 2012 was passed. This enforced a 50pence per unit of alcohol. introduction of lower drink-drive limit in 2014.

In 2010 the Scottish Government reported that the consequences of alcohol abuse cost Scotland; £727.1 million in crime costs, £268.8 million in Healthcare-related costs and £230.5 million in Social care costs. There are a number of ways that the Scottish Government has tried to tackle the problem of alcohol…

Argument for minimum pricing: UK alcohol was 54% more affordable in 2014 than in 1980 (4). As alcohol became more affordable, alcohol-related harms increased. Alcohol-related hospital admissions doubled over a 10 year period (from 493,760 in 2003/4 to 1,059,210 in 2013/4). Over the same period, admissions for alcoholic liver disease increased by 87% and there was a 94% increase in admissions for alcohol poisoning

Arguments against minimum pricing: Some politicians have argued it would reduce living standards for those on low incomes. The minimum price is highly regressive and will affect those on low incomes the most. There is already a substantial tax on alcohol. A higher minimum price could encourage people to switch to illicit ‘home brews’ and replacement alcohol. This is potentially dangerous as it leaves people exposed to alcohol of an unknown quantity and composition.