Patterns of Crime #1 Ethnicity

Learning Objectives Identify and explain two sides of the argument regarding the criminality of ethnic minorities.

Origins In the 19th Century, the Irish were considered a ‘dangerous class’ – first links between crime and racial groups. The debate over the nature of the link between ethnicity and crime is still going strong...

Activity: Small Groups Study the handout and answer the questions provided... ...Discuss the findings.

Patterns of Criminality Black ethnic groups = 2.8% of the UK population, and 13.5% of the prison population. Asian ethnic groups = 4.7% of the population, and 5.4% of the prison population. White ethnic groups under-represented. This leads to two possible conclusions: Some ethnic minorities are more criminal than others. The criminality of some ethnic minorities is exaggerated/misrepresented by the statistics.

ARGUMENT #1: Ethnic Minorities are more criminal...

The Immigrant-Host Model (Park, 1950) Conflict between immigrant populations and host populations is due to a conflict of values and norms e.g. East European immigrants drinking and driving. According to functionalist theorists, this problem is temporary; it disappears once the immigrant population is fully integrated. Does this mean immigrants should lose their own distinctive norms and values?

Small Groups (Discuss) How do we fully assimilate immigrant populations into the UK, to avoid major conflicts like Islamic terrorism? What sort of things would you consider to be ‘UK Culture’?

Discuss Can we expect immigrants to accept a culture whose norms include binge drinking, violence and teenage pregnancy? Are the immigrants really the problem, or is it racism in the UK that’s to blame?

1. It’s Really The Case Capitalism generates racism, which generates crime. Ethnic minorities are used as cheap labour; capitalists use racism to justify low wages etc. (Castles & Kosack; 1973) White working-classes blame ethnic minorities for unemployment etc. – they ‘other’ them. This makes minorities more likely to be victims, but also…

1. It’s Really The Case …During economic slumps, the ethnic minority workers are first to be made redundant. They thus turn to crime (drug dealing, prostitution etc) to generate income. (This explanation supports Marxist perspective & Left Realist ideas of relative deprivation)

1. It’s Really The Case Much ethnic minority crime is a reaction against racism. E.g. Asian crime is increasing, due to Asian males standing up for their communities and families in ways previous generations were afraid to (Desai; 1999). Islamophobia may make Asian crime and violence worse (Abbas; 2005). How?

ARGUMENT #2 Ethnic Minority crime is misrepresented/distorted.

2. misrepresented Ethnic minorities may be treated differently by the criminal justice system (e.g. Macpherson Inquiry, 1999 – re: Stephen Lawrence). If this is the case, evidence of their criminality (and victimisation) is distorted/misrepresented. In small groups, read through the handouts provided: What evidence is presented that ethnic minorities were mistreated (or differently treated)?

What major study that we have already covered demonstrates this? 2. misrepresented Ethnic minority groups might be more likely to be labelled as criminal to suit the needs of capitalist societies. This exaggerates their criminality and distorts public perceptions. What major study that we have already covered demonstrates this?

2. MISREPRESENTATION Ethnic neighbourhoods can be over-policed, and police more militant (Phillips & Bowling; 2002) Courts tend to give black men more – and longer - custodial sentences than white men for the same offences (Hood; 1992).

The Black Criminality ‘Myth’ Gilroy (1983): British Asians and African Caribbeans have historically learned to resist exploitation through their struggles against British Imperialism. Riots/demonstrations show them still resisting society, while black criminality is created through negative stereotyping and prejudice from the police.

The Black Criminality ‘Myth’ Lea & Young (1984) disagree with Gilroy, as: Most crimes are reported by the public. Crime rate for Asian groups is significantly lower than for African-Caribbeans. Statistics show that first-generation immigrants were law-abiding. Police may exaggerate the ethnic crime rate, but it has increased nonetheless.

Individual Written Task Consider both sides of the argument and write your own conclusion (single paragraph), identifying which side you find most convincing and why.

Learning Objectives Identify and explain two sides of the argument regarding the criminality of ethnic minorities.

Race & Victimisation Ethnic minorities are more likely to be victims of crime than whites. Clancy et al (2001) argues this difference can be explained in terms of social factors e.g. higher rates of unemployment within ethnic minorities. The BCS shows that ethnic minorities have an increasing fear of crime. This could be linked to them losing faith in the criminal justice system.

Patterns of Crime #2 Age

Age & Crime In England/Wales, 20% of offenders aged 10-17 and around 35% under 21 (Newburn, 2007) Peak offending ages for males are 14 (property crime), 16 (violent crime) and 17 (serious offences). For females, 15 (serious/property) and 16 (violent). (Graham & Bowling, 1995)

Discuss What sociological explanations have we already covered regarding why young people commit such a proportion of crime.

Relevant Sociological Theories Already Covered Hirschi (Bonds of Attachment/Social Control) Matza (Drift/Subterranean Values) Moral Panics (S. Cohen) All the subcultural theories (A. Cohen, Cloward & Ohlin, CCCS etc). ?

Youth Offending Crimes such as arson are rites of passage; young people’s way of symbolically destroying adult power... (Presdee; 2004)

‘Youth Crime’ – A Real Problem? The statistics ignore white collar/corporate crime, which young people tend not to be involved in. Findings from self-report studies may not be valid. Fears about youth crime are often exaggerated in the media through moral panics.

Patterns of Crime #3 Location

Discuss What areas seem to have little or no crime? What areas would you consider to be ‘high crime’?

Locality & Crime Shaw & McKay (1942); divided city into five concentric circles – linked offending to areas of social disorganization: Places with high population turnover, poverty and poor housing. Non-conformist values in these areas passed on through generations via socialisation.

Activity Apply the concentric zone model to your own town. Identify whether or not the ‘high-crime’ areas fit the model (use police.uk to check).

Criticisms Shaw & McKay don’t acknowledge that offences within the high-crime zones might be committed by people living outside them (Bottoms; 2007) Their model, based on Chicago, doesn’t really fit in with how most modern European cities are planned. Wilkstrom (1991) identified highest crime rates in city centres, poor areas and rich areas that are right next to poor areas.

Felson (2002) Opportunity Theory – crime rates relate to opportunity e.g. thieves prefer portable items, value items and items that are easy to steal without witnesses.

What theory is this reminiscent of? Baldwin & Bottoms (1976) Described process of ‘tipping’. Antisocial behaviour develops in an area; those who can, leave – those who can’t, or who are linked to the behaviour remain. Informal controls break down – the area is ‘tipped’. What theory is this reminiscent of?

Sampson (1997) Violent crime occurs when a community cannot achieve its objectives and is unable to build trust or agree on how to intervene when order is under threat.

Identify ‘Socio-spatial criminology’ – examines links between where offenders live and where offences happen. Identify...Three ways in which where an offender lives might influence the location in which he/she commits offences...

Other Studies… On average, burglars travel two miles to commit an offence (Wiles & Costello; 2000). Offenders most likely to commit crimes in areas that they are cognitively familiar (e.g. where they work, live, play – and all the routes that link these places). (Brantingham & Brantingham; 1991)

Felson (2006...again) Routine Action Theory – Crimes occur where suitable targets are close to offenders. Offenders usually commit crimes close to where they live or spend time. Routine Activities also increase likelihood of being victims: If you go drinking in Daventry town centre three nights a week, your chances of being a victim go up.

Patterns of Crime #4 Social Class

Social Class & Crime Crime is particularly common in the underclass (Murray; 1989) Official statistics support the view that crime is concentrated in the working classes, but many believe these are unrepresentative.

Social Class & Crime Those from lower class backgrounds may be more likely to be labelled than those from higher income backgrounds (Becker; 1963 – supported by Cicourel). There is class bias in the law; values of capitalism encourage greed; crimes of the higher classes damage society more (Marxists)

Social Class & Crime All classes commit crime, but some perspectives focus too much on crime of higher classes – we mustn’t ignore street crime (Left realists) Although crime occurs in all classes, typical working class crimes are different to typical upper/middle class crimes.