Causes of Crime in the 20th & 21st Centuries (WJEC Eduqas GCSE History): Revision Note

How have the causes of crime continued and changed from the Medieval period to the Modern Day? - Summary

Many causes of crime from earlier centuries, such as poverty and inequality, have continued into the 20th and 21st centuries. However, huge changes in technology, society, culture, and religion have also created new causes and opportunities for crime. Advances in communication and digital technology have resulted in modern forms of criminal activity, while social and cultural changes have altered people’s behaviour and attitudes.

Public perception of crime has also shifted. Some people believe that modern punishments are too lenient and fail to act as a deterrent, contributing to growing concern about law and order. Although the nature of society has evolved, poverty and social tension remain constant causes, showing both continuity and change in the reasons why crime occurs.

Changing Technology & Crime

• The advancement of technology in the 20th and 21st Centuries created new crimes, including  

  • Motoring crimes 

    • In 1966, there were 1.3 million motoring offences. Including the theft of 500,000 cars 

  • Computer and cyber crimes

    • Criminals can hack organisations and governments 

    • Cyberterrorism became a serious threat 

• Crimes such as theft, robbery, assault, and murder continued 

  • However, technology has allowed them to develop through the use of the internet and computers 

• Television is believed to have romanticised a criminal lifestyle, increasing crime 

  • As individuals attempted to copy their lifestyles 

• The internet, email, and telephones allowed criminals to commit a crime and then disappear quickly, making it harder for police to catch criminals 

Social & Cultural Changes & Crime

• Many social and cultural changes in the 20th and 21st centuries caused an increase in crime, including 

  • Inner-city gang culture 

    • Increased gun and knife-related crimes 

  • Increased immigration into Britain, making a more multicultural society

    • Increased hate-crime 

  • Reduction of religious practices 

    • It is believed to have reduced morals and traditional values 

  • Increase in divorce 

    • Some believe the increase in one-parent households has increased crime 

  • Alcohol and Drug-Related Crimes

    • Increase in alcohol and drug-related crimes due to their availability and illegal classification in 1971

Trend Towards Violent Crime

Gang Violence and Street Crime 

• Gang violence was not a new crime, but the 20th and 21st centuries have seen an increase in this type of crime 

• Gang and street crime have increased due to: 

  • Poverty 

  • The breakdown of traditional values and family 

  • Lack of opportunities 

  • Glorification of gang life on TV and films 

  • Technology

• Gangs have evolved and are now associated with lots of other types of crime, such as 

  • Gun and knife crime 

    • Gang members carry knives or guns for protection 

    • Such weapons are used in attacks and in turf wars 

  • Football hooliganism 

    • Gangs of supporters from rival teams fight each other 

    • Football hooliganism gives members a sense of belonging 

  • Drugs 

    • Banning drugs increased the smuggling and distribution of them via gangs 

Terrorism 

• Although terrorism is not a new crime, it has dominated crime in the 20th and 21st centuries, such as

  • The Irish Republican Army from 1969 and 2005 

    • Wanted independence from the United Kingdom 

    • Used bombs in places such as pubs 

  • The Welsh nationalist group Meibion Glyndŵr from 1979 to 1994

    • Burnt English property in Wales 

• Terrorism has grown due to 

  • The development of communication 

    • Social media and the internet have allowed people with similar strong political views to connect and make plans to attack 

  • Media 

    • Terrorist attacks attract media coverage for terrorist groups and their aims 

    • It inspires others to copy their acts 

  • New technology 

    • Has been used to commit terrorist attacks, such as the 7/7 bombings 

Hate Crime 

• Crime driven by the hatred of different races, religions, sexuality, or gender has increased in the modern period 

• Crimes such as the Stephen Lawrence case in 1993 were driven by prejudice and hatred 

Anti-social Behaviour

• Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is believed to have increased in the 20th and 21st centuries due to 

  • Social and economic factors 

    • Economic decline 

    • Poor housing and urban decay 

    • Social inequality 

  • Youth culture and peer influence 

    • Peer pressure to commit anti-social crimes 

    • People post anti-social behaviour on social media, which is copied by others 

  • Reduction of traditional values 

    • Some people believe the weakening of moral values has resulted in more anti-social behaviour 

  • Drugs and alcohol 

    • Drunkness often leads to anti-social behaviour like vandalism