Point / Explanation
Young people are most likely to commit crime. / This is a time when teenagers are said to be ‘testing boundaries’ and can be faced with peer pressure to join in with a crowd for acceptance. This may make them commit a crime to escape bullying.
For example
- For less serious offences the peak age of offence is 15-17.
- The peak age for committing crime 19 to 20 for men and 26-30 for women.
- Teenagers may get involved in street fighting, Vandalism.Shoplifting.Breach of the peace.Under-age drinking – related crimes.Drug offences.Graffiti.Car theft.Hanging around the streets/causing a disturbance.
Point / Explanation
Men are most likely to commit crime. / Some belief that this is because from a young age boys are encouraged to be aggressive and tough and therefore are more likely to become involved in crime. Some men who are not well educated can choose to have ' success' through tough hardmen reputations rather than through careers.
Examples
- Almost all violent crime is committed by men.
- 80% of crime is committed by men.
- Knife crime is strongly linked with men and gangs who carry knives to protect themselves of from peer pressure.
Point / Explanation
People who live in cities or urban areas are more likely to commit crime. / The majority of crime happens in city areas, especially at weekends in city centres or in areas with poor quality housing.
Examples
- In Scotland the areas which have large cities such as Glasgow and Strathclyde have the highest crime rates. For example Strathclyde has much higher crime rates than Dumfries and Galloway which is rural and has the lowest level of crime.
Point / Explanation
Poor people –refer to other handout