Describe, in detail, government responses to crime. (6)
One government response to crime is Minimum Unit Pricing on alcohol. Minimum
Unit Pricing was introduced in Scotland in May 2018 in order to reduce alcohol-
related crimes by lessening the purchase of cheap, high-concentration alcohol
like Buckfast. It is 50p per unit of alcohol. Results of studies have varied on
whether this has been effective or not. For example, there has been an 8%
decrease in the purchase of alcohol since the legislation was introduced,
however there has not been a decrease in alcohol-related crime.
Another government response is the Mentors for Violence Prevention
programme. This was introduced to schools in 2012, and involves educating
teachers and pupils on how to prevent violent crime, rather than being a
bystander. It is unclear whether this has been effective as, although there was
an initial decrease in violent crime from 2012, violent crime rates have since
increased again to around the same as before the programme started. It has
expanded to reach around 130 schools.
Explain, in detail, why the government’s responses to crime have been
ineffective. (6)
Minimum Unit Pricing on alcohol has been ineffective because the price is still too
low. Minimum Unit Pricing was introduced in May 2018 at 50p per unit of alcohol
to try and reduce alcohol related violent crime. However, many experts have
said that 50p isn’t sufficient and that it should be raised to 65p instead to have a
significant difference. For example, there has been no decrease in alcohol-
related crime since the legislation was introduced which shows the initiative has
been ineffective.
Mentors for Violence Prevention has been ineffective because it only targets
young people and teachers. The MVP programme aims to reduce violent crime
by teaching secondary school students how to stop being a bystander and act to
stop violence. However, as it only targets school students, this doesn’t make a
major difference to crimes committed by adults as young people are unlikely to
be able to step in to stop it. For example, comparing violent crime numbers from
2012/13 programme started to 2020/21, crime numbers have increased from
around 7500 to around 9000 per year.
Describe, in detail, the role of the police. (6)
One role of the police is protection of the public. At large events with high
numbers of people, the police often attend to make sure that people are safe,
and also to prevent crime that is common in crowded areas like pickpocketing.
For example, the police will attend Old Firm games in Glasgow to prevent
Sectarianist violence between fans and keep the public safe.
Another role of the police is crime detection. This means that the police will
collect evidence, interview witnesses and analyse forensics in order to try and
solve crimes and provide evidence to the criminal courts so offenders can be
prosecuted. For example, the Specialised Crime Division work to investigate
crimes like murder and theft.
Describe, in detail, the ways in which the police try to reduce crime. (6)
One government response to crime is Minimum Unit Pricing on alcohol. Minimum
Unit Pricing was introduced in Scotland in May 2018 in order to reduce alcohol-
related crimes by lessening the purchase of cheap, high-concentration alcohol
like Buckfast. It is 50p per unit of alcohol. Results of studies have varied on
whether this has been effective or not. For example, there has been an 8%
decrease in the purchase of alcohol since the legislation was introduced,
however there has not been a decrease in alcohol-related crime.
Another government response is the Mentors for Violence Prevention
programme. This was introduced to schools in 2012, and involves educating
teachers and pupils on how to prevent violent crime, rather than being a
bystander. It is unclear whether this has been effective as, although there was
an initial decrease in violent crime from 2012, violent crime rates have since
increased again to around the same as before the programme started. It has
expanded to reach around 130 schools.
Explain, in detail, why the government’s responses to crime have been
ineffective. (6)
Minimum Unit Pricing on alcohol has been ineffective because the price is still too
low. Minimum Unit Pricing was introduced in May 2018 at 50p per unit of alcohol
to try and reduce alcohol related violent crime. However, many experts have
said that 50p isn’t sufficient and that it should be raised to 65p instead to have a
significant difference. For example, there has been no decrease in alcohol-
related crime since the legislation was introduced which shows the initiative has
been ineffective.
Mentors for Violence Prevention has been ineffective because it only targets
young people and teachers. The MVP programme aims to reduce violent crime
by teaching secondary school students how to stop being a bystander and act to
stop violence. However, as it only targets school students, this doesn’t make a
major difference to crimes committed by adults as young people are unlikely to
be able to step in to stop it. For example, comparing violent crime numbers from
2012/13 programme started to 2020/21, crime numbers have increased from
around 7500 to around 9000 per year.
Describe, in detail, the role of the police. (6)
One role of the police is protection of the public. At large events with high
numbers of people, the police often attend to make sure that people are safe,
and also to prevent crime that is common in crowded areas like pickpocketing.
For example, the police will attend Old Firm games in Glasgow to prevent
Sectarianist violence between fans and keep the public safe.
Another role of the police is crime detection. This means that the police will
collect evidence, interview witnesses and analyse forensics in order to try and
solve crimes and provide evidence to the criminal courts so offenders can be
prosecuted. For example, the Specialised Crime Division work to investigate
crimes like murder and theft.
Describe, in detail, the ways in which the police try to reduce crime. (6)
