Social Issues in the United
Kingdom
Crime
Cycle 3_Social Exclusion and Crime
Picture in time
What might have happened before the photo was taken?
What might be happening now?
What may happen after?
Learning Intentions:
Be able to write a definition of social
exclusion
 Consider and conclude whether there is a
link between social exclusion and crime

What factors might come together
to cause social exclusion?
How is it related to crime?
Statistics show that both offenders and
victims of crimes often suffer from one or
more aspects of social exclusion. For
example, an offender may come from a
childhood of poverty, or a victim may be a
gang member excluded from mainstream
society.
Evidence:
Government figures show that the 5% most
disadvantaged are 100 times more likely to
have multiple problems than the most
advantaged 50%. Problems such as conduct
disorders, police contact, cannabis use,
mood disorders and alcohol abuse.
Explain the link between social exclusion
and crime.
 What do government figures show?
Explain in your own words.

Children and Young people:
at risk of Poverty & or Social Exclusion




Are considered dependents, meaning that they are reliant on adults.
A boy born in one of the most deprived areas of the UK has a life
expectancy 14 years below that of boys born in the least deprived
areas.
36,367 children in the Glasgow City Council areas are living below the
relative poverty line
Since 2008, the number of under 25s who are unemployed in Scotland
has almost doubled to 90,000.
Social Exclusion and
Community

Some communities or neighbourhoods are more affected than others by financial
deprivation, lack of jobs, poor public transport, and low-quality schools and housing.
This type of ‘concentration’ of disadvantage can give an area a negative reputation
leaving the people in it feeling isolated with limited opportunities.

Concentrated poverty usually occurs in urban areas, dominated by council housing.

There may be only a few drug dealers operating in the deprived area, but this means
many more people will be coming to the community to buy drugs, intimidating
neighbours and perhaps committing other offences while they are there.

Low income households are more likely than richer households to feel dissatisfied
with the area they live in.

Residents of council estates regard crime as a more serious local problem than any
other group, although affluent urban areas, often near council estates, also regard it as
the key issue affecting local quality of life.
Heading: Social exclusion and crime at the community level
Stick previous slide in your jotter and use the information to answer the questions:
1.
2.
What does ‘concentration’ of disadvantage mean?
Explain why council estates are often connected to
higher crime. Hint: Use the bullet points to provide
evidence to support what you say.
Crime and Social Exclusion Factlfile
Income
 72% of prisoners were in receipt of benefits immediately before entering prison.
Health
 60% to 70% of prisoners were using drugs before imprisonment.
Education
 49% of male and 33% female sentenced prisoners were excluded from school.
 89% of men and 84% of women in prison left school at 16 or younger.
 52% of men and 71% of women in prison have no qualifications (compared to 15% of the
general population).
Employment
 67% of prisoners were unemployed in the 4 weeks before imprisonment (compared to
5% in the general population).
Housing
 4.7% of prisoners report sleeping rough immediately prior to imprisonment (compared
to .001% of the general population).
 32% of prisoners were not living in permanent accommodation prior to imprisonment.
Children
 7% of school children experience their father being sent to prison.
Create a spider diagram:
Include one piece of evidence,
with each heading. Income is
completed already.
72% of prisoners
were in receipt
of benefits
immediately
before entering
prison
Income
Social
exclusion
REFLECT: Use your knowledge gained this lesson cycle to complete
the following exam question.
Social exclusion and poverty often lead to youth crime. Explain, in detail,
why social exclusion and poverty often lead to youth crime. 8
Think about why social exclusion and poverty often lead to crime, then make the youth
crime connection.
For an 8 mark question you need 4 paragraphs, that means 4 points with explanations
and examples.
Point
Explain
Example
Point
Explain
Example
Social exclusion and poverty can lead to youth crime
because of lack of income. Evidence shows that 72% of
prisoners were in receipt of benefits immediately before
entering prison. This tells us that the majority of inmates
were on a low income and since 2008, the number of
under 25s who are unemployed in Scotland has almost
doubled to 90,000.
Poverty can lead to youth crime because people have no
money. Most people in prison used to claim benefits and
youth unemployment is high.
Identify the answer with full marks and the one, with minimum marks.
Be ready to give several reasons for your answer.
The second reason why social exclusion and poverty may cause youth
crime is lack of qualifications make it difficult to get a job. A young person
could be living in poverty through no fault of their own and may see crime
as the only way out. 5% most disadvantaged are 100 times more likely to
have multiple problems than the most advantaged 50%.
Another reason why social exclusion and poverty may cause youth crime is
lack of a positive role model. If young people are not taught right from
wrong they may be more likely to commit crime. Evidence shows 7% of
school children see their father sent to prison. This may cause a feeling of
exclusion and make the young person more likely to commit crime.
A further reason why social exclusion and poverty may cause a young
person to commit crime is they are in a social group that is vulnerable. A
young person may see crime as a means to survive. Children and young
people are dependent on their parents to provide a comfortable life, yet
36,367, children in the Glasgow City Council areas are living below the
relative poverty line.