Continuity and Change in Crime in the 20th Century

This section explains the changing nature of Crime in 20^th Century Britain. At the start of the 20th century, Britain witnessed a decrease in the amount of reported crime. However, from the mid-20th century onwards, the number of reported crimes began to rise. Several factors contributed to this increase:

• The widespread introduction of telephones in households made it easier for the public to report crimes to the police.
• To claim compensation from insurance companies, people needed to formally report crimes.
• The reporting of violent crimes and sexual offences became more common, as attitudes shifted, and victims felt more confident in coming forward.
• Improvements in police training and better consistency in crime recording, driven by advancements in technology, helped to ensure more accurate data on crime rates.

Continuity

Despite the changes in crime patterns, many forms of crime remained persistent throughout the 20th century:

• Crimes against the person continued to be prevalent, including murder, assault, and robbery.
• Crimes against property also persisted, with petty theft, shoplifting, and vandalism continuing to be common.
• Crimes against authority remained a concern, including offences such as treason, terrorism, and rioting.

Change

While many traditional crimes remained unchanged, new forms of crime emerged in the 20th century, particularly due to advancements in technology.

Theft

With the development of new technologies, especially computers, criminals gained new ways of committing theft. Traditional theft crimes evolved into modern, tech-based crimes, such as:

• Identity theft: This occurs when a criminal steals someone's personal data, such as bank account details or credit card information, and uses it to make online purchases or access funds from the victim's bank account.
• Computer copyright theft: The illegal copying and sharing of music, films, and other intellectual property via the internet.
• Cybercrime: This broad term refers to crimes carried out using the internet, often on a large scale. Cybercriminals may steal sensitive data, records, and information from businesses, government bodies, or individuals.
• Extortion: Using the internet to threaten or blackmail individuals or organisations into paying money. Cyber extortion often involves threats to hack into systems or release private information unless a ransom is paid.
• Computer fraud: Fraudsters impersonate individuals or businesses online in order to steal banking information, passwords, and other personal details, which they then use to access funds or commit further crimes.

Smuggling

Smuggling has been a long-standing crime in Britain, but the goods being smuggled have evolved over time. Whereas smuggling in previous centuries often involved items like brandy, tea, and cloth, in the modern era, it is more commonly associated with drugs, alcohol, and human trafficking.

Increased global travel, particularly by land, sea, and air, has made smuggling more difficult to control. Smuggling is a profitable enterprise, and smugglers typically purchase goods in other countries where they are cheaper, avoiding taxes or duties that would normally apply when importing goods into Britain. These goods are then sold at lower prices, attracting buyers who are willing to accept the risk of purchasing smuggled goods. Despite law enforcement efforts, the demand for cheap, illicit products—such as tobacco and alcohol—encourages some people to turn a blind eye to the crime.

Terrorism

The threat of terrorism in the UK has grown significantly since the 1960s. Terrorist groups use violence, or the threat of violence, to achieve political, religious, or ideological aims. These groups often target civilians, causing fear and disruption. Many of these groups are influenced by extremist ideologies, both domestic and international.

There are several categories of terrorism that have impacted the UK:

• International terrorism: This involves acts of terrorism that go beyond national borders. For example, in Britain, terrorist attacks have been carried out by groups linked to Islamist extremism, originating outside the country. These attacks often target civilians, government institutions, and public services.
• Northern Ireland-related terrorism: In the late 20th century, terrorism in Northern Ireland was fuelled by political and sectarian conflict between loyalist and republican paramilitary groups. Though the 1998 Belfast Agreement (commonly known as the Good Friday Agreement) helped bring an end to much of the violence, terrorist groups with links to Northern Ireland continue to pose a threat, and sporadic attacks have still occurred.
• Other terrorist groups: Various smaller terrorist groups, often with political or religious motivations, have also been active in the UK. Some have been involved in planning or carrying out attacks, raising funds, or recruiting members to join their cause. These groups may have focused on single issues, such as environmentalism, animal rights, or opposition to government policies.

To counter the evolving threat of terrorism, British law enforcement agencies, including specialist counter-terrorism police units, collaborate closely with intelligence services like MI5 and other international security agencies. Their work involves preventing, deterring, and investigating terrorist activity, while striving to protect the public and ensure national security.

Conclusion

The 20th century saw both continuity and change in crime in Britain. While traditional crimes such as theft, assault, and terrorism remained constant, technological developments gave rise to new forms of crime, including cybercrime, identity theft, and computer fraud. Smuggling also adapted to new circumstances, and the nature of terrorist threats evolved, with international and domestic groups using violence to further their aims. As society progressed, so too did the strategies used by criminals, prompting changes in law enforcement methods and the legal system to respond to these new challenges.