Chapter 8 Crime & the Police

Chapter 8 Crime & the Police What are the fascinations of crime as a topic? What

can it help us understand about modern Britain? What do you think are the most frequently committe

d crimes in Britain? And in China? How do you understand the causes of crimes in Brita

in today? (P134) What qualifications are required to be a police office

r? How would you describe the major responsibilities a

nd powers of the police force in contemporary Britain? (P138)

A 1 Introduction Definition of crime Crimes are defined and punished by statutes a

nd by the common law. Changes

A 2 Number of crimes based on BCS interviews in the year to June 2008 compared with the previous year

Risk of being a victim based on BCS interviews in the year to June 2008 compared with the previous year

Trends in worry about crime, England & Wales

Table 3: Anti-social behaviour indicators

The Home Secretary's statement 'I welcome today’s figures which show that crime has

fallen by 6%. Fewer people are being injured as a result of violence.  Gun crime, robbery and homicides are down, and the chance of being a victim of crime is at its lowest level ever.

'Since 1997, crime has fallen by 39%, and crime is now at its lowest level since the British Crime Survey began in 1981. But we know there is more work to do - with particular crime types, and in particular areas. 

'I remain concerned about serious violence and in particular knife crime.  That’s why we are taking targeted action in ten areas under the Tackling Knives Action Programme, which I launched in June. 

The Home Secretary's statement 'Already this is showing results – more than 2,200 knives have

been seized following targeted stop and search operations, and courts are getting tougher with offenders.  Since May the proportion sent immediately to prison for weapons possession in the Tackling Knives Action Programme areas has increased by almost a third.

'This is what we said we would do, and it is what we have delivered, working closely with the police and the judiciary. 'Last year we reduced police targets to give them greater flexibility to deal with local crime problems, and to prioritise tackling most serious violence. We revised offence categories for recording the most serious violence and clarified our guidance to police forces. 

'This change means that this quarter’s figures are not comparable with last year’s. However, for most types of violence where the guidance hasn’t changed – like homicide, robbery and death by driving – the numbers are down since last year. And the overall number of violent crimes is down too - by 7% - almost 18,000 fewer violent crimes. Although it represents less than 1% of recorded crime, reducing serious violence will always be a priority for us.'

A 4 The Causes of Crime

Which of these factors, in your view, are the main causes of crime inBritain today?

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Lack of discipline by parents

Drugs

Alcohol

Too lenient sentencing

Unemployment

Lack of discipline at school

Poverty

Television

Poor policing

National newspapers

A 5 Victim Support (by govern.) Key facts help offered to 1+ million victims of

crime and to 120,000+ witnesses each year Young people, esp. young men: most prone to

being the victim of violence. People aged 65+: the lowest risk.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) : monetary compensation

A 5 Victim Support Substantial growth of Victim Support Groups An association of local, independent charitabl

e schemes: advice and assistance, 16,000+ voluntary workers

A 6 The Police The Metropolitan Police Force – 1828, Sir Robert Pee

l (Bobby), Scotland Yard, Home Secretary The main law-enforcement agency in the Capital & the

biggest police force in the country (35,000+ employees)

In London - the City of London Police, the British Transport Police and the Royal Parks Constabulary

The Met Police & the City of London Police headed by Commissioner

A 6 The Police What are their responsibilities? The Met Police ： policing the majority of Grea

ter London ； national tasks, eg. protection of royalty & the Capital's diplomatic community, & certain counter-terrorism duties

Borough Operational Command Units (BOCUs) ： basic street-level policing of London; Londoners’ “local police force”

Policing Community policing1. Citizen-focused policing2. Neighbourhood policing3. Police community support

officers

Operational policing1. PACE (the Police and

Criminal Evidence Act), Powers and Procedures

2. Crime and Disorder 3. Road Traffic 4. Firearms 5. Bichard Recommendations Extradition Mutual Legal Assistance Prosecution manual Forensic Science Regulator

A 6 The Police Two cops Policeman (London)

A 6 The Police Bobby

A 6 the Police Wesminster guards Policeman (metro)

United Kingdom police ranks (up to Chief Superintendent)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_police_ranks

Rank PoliceConstable

Sergeant Inspector ChiefInspector

Superintendent

ChiefSuperintendent

Insignia

A 6 The Police The Role of the Police Maintenance of order - A Service Law enforcement - A Force

A 6 The Police Rights of the suspect to have someone outside the police station told of his/her

arrest to consult a solicitor to see a copy of PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act)

Code Moreover, a suspect in custody should not be forced to answer questions — they have the right to

remain silent (N.B. Recent changes in the law have meant that silence under police questioning may be interpreted negatively by a jury, i.e. as a sign of guilt.)

be forced to make a statement against their will be induced to make a statement by means of threats or

by being promised something, such as bail, for instance.

Levels of confidence in the police (07-08)

The police and local agencies were dealing with the anti-social behaviour and crime issues that matter in their area

45%: agreed 30%: disagreed 25%: had no opinion The police in their local area did an excellent o

r good job: 52%

The Image of the Police http://www.mtime.com/my/heyang/blog/662

517/(police vehicles) James Bond Pen Lets Police Walk the B

(http://www.tzsy.cn/english/news/bilingual/200804/30-3940.html)

The multi-functional police officer (http://www.eueueu.com/forums/1175/ShowPost.aspx)

Cops amusing themselves at workKelly Cooper, Facebook

Equipments

Man bursts into flames after being shot by a taser gun http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4633

21/Man-bursts-flames-shot-taser-gun.html Stockwell Shooting: The death of Mr de

Menezes; The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)

Police officers on a strike (Jan. 23, 2008)

The three-year pay agreement for police officers

2008 2009 2010Percentage 2.65% 2.6% 2.55%

a constable on completion of initial training

£24,675 £25,962

Constables with the longest service

£34,707 £36,519

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs08/hosb1408.pdf

http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-events/news/police-pay-deal

http://news.sina.com.cn/w/p/2008-01-24/081514816050.shtml (strike) http://images.google.cn/imgres?imgurl=http://gov.ce.cn/newmain/ssgc

/200707/29/W020070729591178780115.jpg&imgrefurl=http://gov.ce.cn/newmain/ssgc/200707/29/t20070729_12350540.shtml&h=351&w=468&sz=29&hl=zh-CN&start=2&um=1&usg=__e7bzqyz52sHOWkWRv4jxYOoVtrQ=&tbnid=aEFz5C96osaXGM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=128&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%25E8%258B%25B1%25E5%259B%25BD%25E8%25AD%25A6%25E5%25AF%259F%25EF%25BC%258C%25E8%25AD%25A6%25E6%25A3%258D%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dzh-CN%26newwindow%3D1%26client%3Daff-maxthon (amusement)