Crime statistics refer to systematic and quantitative results regarding crime. However, it is argued that crime statistics are notoriously unreliable as the patterns of crime were not treated with considerable caution. So, today, let’s analyze the problems in crime patterns!

Why Is the Crime Rate Higher in Urban Areas?

It is noted that crime rates are considerably higher in urban areas compared to rural places. For instance, according to crime statistics, violent and property crime rates are three to four times higher in large cities than in rural areas. Therefore, criminologists take up the challenge to try to explain why crime levels are much higher in urban than in rural areas.

So, let’s discover the reasons why.

• More opportunity for crime:

Large urban areas normally provide greater opportunities for crime. Why? Simple! There are more and larger shops, warehouses, cars, houses, business premises and other typical targets of crime.

• Policing:

As there is a greater police presence in urban areas, so it is evident that more crime is detected. Different policing methods also mean the police are more likely to take formal action such as arrest and prosecution in urban areas.

On the other hand, in rural areas, police are less likely to arrest offenders for minor offenses, preferring merely to issue more informal warnings or, in the case of young people, perhaps visiting the offender’s parents.

• Less chance of being caught:

In large cities, life is more impersonal and people do not know each other so well. Strangers are more likely to go unrecognized and are therefore more able to get away with offenses. Potential criminals are less likely to steal within a small rural community where everyone knows almost everybody else and suspicious strangers in the community are likely to be noticed. Any local offenders are quite likely to be known in the community.

Why Are Most Convicted Criminals Male?

Men are responsible for about four known offences for every one committed by women. It is also viewed that men are more likely to be repeat offenders and in general, they tend to commit more serious offences than compared to women. For example, as per a study conducted, only 5 percent of the prison population is women. What’s the reason?

Why Do Males Commit More Crime Than Women?

• Based on the concept of gender role socialization, the tough, aggressive, violent and dominant behavior expected of men is more likely to lead to more serious and detectable criminal behavior.

• Besides, the police tend to see men as more likely to be criminals than women and hence they are more likely to press charges in the case of men.

• Compared to women, who are often restricted by housework and childcare demands, men have more independence, freedom, and opportunities to commit crime.

Why Do Females Appear To Commit Less Crime Than Men?

• The chivalry thesis:

The chivalry thesis suggests that more paternalism or sexism on the part of the police and courts means they regard female offenders as a less serious threat than men, particularly for minor offences. As a result, they adopt more informal approaches to their offences, such as unrecorded cautions or simply letting them off in some cases. For instance, according to the Home Office, women are consistently treated more leniently by the law, with women first offenders about half as likely to be given a sentence of immediate imprisonment as their male counterparts.

• Police Stereotype:

Police stereotyping means that women who commit crimes may benefit from the police stereotype that they are less likely than men to be criminals and so are less likely to have their behaviour watched and get caught.

Do you also think there is some kind of unfairness in the patterns of crime? Please share your comments!