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Olivia
10/12/2025
Criminology
Criminology unit 1 AC1.3
45
•
10 Dec 2025
•
Olivia
@oliviahodgkins
Ever wondered why some crimes never get reported and what... Show more







Think of crime like dropping a stone in a pond - the impact spreads far beyond just the victim. The ripple effect shows how unreported crimes create waves that can affect families, friends, and entire communities for months or even years.
When crimes go unreported, communities often change their behaviour out of fear. After a burglary, neighbours might install security cameras or avoid walking alone at night. The tragic case of Kitty Genovese in 1964 perfectly illustrates this - her brutal stabbing didn't just affect her, but traumatised her brother who joined the marines and left friends feeling guilty for not intervening.
The downside is clear: unreported crimes become accepted since there are no consequences. This creates inaccurate crime statistics - only 4 out of 10 crimes actually get reported to police according to surveys. Victims and their communities live in fear knowing offenders remain unpunished and could strike again.
Key Insight: The Crime Survey of England and Wales reveals that most crimes never reach official statistics, meaning the true scale of criminal activity remains hidden.
However, awareness of these negative effects can actually encourage more people to report crimes and create better support systems for victims.

Different cultures view crimes differently, which massively affects reporting rates. Some communities keep honour crimes private because they're culturally acceptable, or families prefer handling issues themselves rather than involving authorities. The horrific case of Kristy Bamu shows this clearly - the 15-year-old was killed by family members who believed he was involved in witchcraft, reflecting practices from their Democratic Republic of Congo background.
This cultural divide creates serious problems. When crimes become normalised through under-reporting, shame and stigma increase for victims. However, it's also leading to positive changes like cultural awareness training for police officers and specialised support groups for different communities.
Decriminalisation happens when society's attitudes shift faster than the law. Cannabis use is a perfect example - it's so socially accepted now that people rarely report it, forcing governments to reconsider their approach. Countries like Portugal have even decriminalised all drugs, focusing on health rather than punishment.
Reality Check: Cannabis, cocaine and tobacco use by young people is massively under-reported, creating huge gaps in official statistics and policy-making.
The downside is that normalising illegal behaviour can increase these crimes and create health risks (600,000 global deaths from drug use annually). But it also frees up police resources for serious crimes and reduces unnecessary imprisonment costs.

Police forces can't tackle everything, so they prioritise certain crimes based on available time, money, and public expectations. The Home Office allocates £130.5 million for tackling murder and knife crime, but only £4.8 million for catching shoplifters - showing exactly where priorities lie.
Hate crime has become a major focus recently, with London's Metropolitan Police creating a special online unit in 2016. Meanwhile, County Durham police have suggested they'll stop prioritising drug offences to focus on serious crimes instead.
This approach has clear benefits - targeted policing in crime hotspots can reduce property crime by up to 31%. Focusing on serious crimes like domestic abuse also builds public trust in police forces.
However, unrecorded crime creates major problems. These are crimes reported to police but never officially recorded as offences. West Midlands Police failed to record over 16,600 violent crimes in 2019, and nationally only 78% of violent crime gets properly recorded.
Shocking Stat: Public confidence in police dropped from 62% in 2020 to just 47% in 2023, partly due to unrecorded crime issues.
The consequences are serious - investigations don't happen, offenders go unpunished, and police get deployed to wrong areas based on incorrect statistics. But it can also lead to decriminalisation of outdated laws and reduce public fear through less crime publicity.

Within communities, illegal behaviour can become so normal that crimes go unreported. Illegal video streaming is everywhere now, but most people don't see it as seriously criminal. This cultural shift creates new challenges, especially with cyber crimes that technology makes possible.
Some areas like Blackpool become trapped in cycles where vandalism, drug use, and other crimes become so accepted that they're rarely reported. This creates a ripple effect where communities become increasingly crime-ridden and rundown.
Legal change often follows unreported crime patterns. Homosexuality was illegal until 1967, but changing social attitudes eventually forced legal reform. Similarly, smoking laws evolved as medical research developed, leading to the 2007 ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.
New laws can be problematic though - New Labour created over 3,000 new offences between 1997-2006, potentially over-criminalising behaviour. Sometimes well-intentioned laws actually increase crime if they ignore underlying social issues.
Progress Update: Same-sex marriage became legal in 2015, showing how unreported 'crimes' can eventually lead to positive legal changes.
The positive side includes enhanced public safety through longer sentences for violent offenders and better protection for vulnerable groups through laws like "Tony's Law" for child cruelty cases.

Reporting crime has evolved dramatically beyond traditional police stations and 999 calls. Modern methods include CrimeStoppers for anonymous reporting, victim support services, downloadable apps, and even phones that connect to police by shaking them or quick-pressing buttons.
TV programmes like Crimewatch and station posters ("See it, say it, sorted") actively encourage reporting. From April 2020, new procedures were introduced for recording cyber-crimes where victim and perpetrator are in different locations.
Victim support services are showing real results - 99% of users report improved wellbeing after receiving help. These services provide crucial emotional and psychological assistance during traumatic experiences, encouraging more people to come forward.
However, victims often feel like "just another case," creating disconnection from their own situations. Long waiting times leave people feeling unsupported when they need help most, sometimes causing them to withdraw from the process entirely.
Success Story: Modern reporting methods and victim support are creating more accurate crime statistics and better outcomes for those affected by crime.
The increase in reporting methods means we're getting a truer reflection of actual crime levels, helping police and policymakers make better decisions. But the system still needs work to ensure victims feel genuinely supported throughout their experience.

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Olivia
@oliviahodgkins
Ever wondered why some crimes never get reported and what happens when they don't? Understanding the ripple effects of unreported crime is crucial for grasping how our justice system works and why crime statistics might not tell the whole story.

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Think of crime like dropping a stone in a pond - the impact spreads far beyond just the victim. The ripple effect shows how unreported crimes create waves that can affect families, friends, and entire communities for months or even years.
When crimes go unreported, communities often change their behaviour out of fear. After a burglary, neighbours might install security cameras or avoid walking alone at night. The tragic case of Kitty Genovese in 1964 perfectly illustrates this - her brutal stabbing didn't just affect her, but traumatised her brother who joined the marines and left friends feeling guilty for not intervening.
The downside is clear: unreported crimes become accepted since there are no consequences. This creates inaccurate crime statistics - only 4 out of 10 crimes actually get reported to police according to surveys. Victims and their communities live in fear knowing offenders remain unpunished and could strike again.
Key Insight: The Crime Survey of England and Wales reveals that most crimes never reach official statistics, meaning the true scale of criminal activity remains hidden.
However, awareness of these negative effects can actually encourage more people to report crimes and create better support systems for victims.

Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Different cultures view crimes differently, which massively affects reporting rates. Some communities keep honour crimes private because they're culturally acceptable, or families prefer handling issues themselves rather than involving authorities. The horrific case of Kristy Bamu shows this clearly - the 15-year-old was killed by family members who believed he was involved in witchcraft, reflecting practices from their Democratic Republic of Congo background.
This cultural divide creates serious problems. When crimes become normalised through under-reporting, shame and stigma increase for victims. However, it's also leading to positive changes like cultural awareness training for police officers and specialised support groups for different communities.
Decriminalisation happens when society's attitudes shift faster than the law. Cannabis use is a perfect example - it's so socially accepted now that people rarely report it, forcing governments to reconsider their approach. Countries like Portugal have even decriminalised all drugs, focusing on health rather than punishment.
Reality Check: Cannabis, cocaine and tobacco use by young people is massively under-reported, creating huge gaps in official statistics and policy-making.
The downside is that normalising illegal behaviour can increase these crimes and create health risks (600,000 global deaths from drug use annually). But it also frees up police resources for serious crimes and reduces unnecessary imprisonment costs.

Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Police forces can't tackle everything, so they prioritise certain crimes based on available time, money, and public expectations. The Home Office allocates £130.5 million for tackling murder and knife crime, but only £4.8 million for catching shoplifters - showing exactly where priorities lie.
Hate crime has become a major focus recently, with London's Metropolitan Police creating a special online unit in 2016. Meanwhile, County Durham police have suggested they'll stop prioritising drug offences to focus on serious crimes instead.
This approach has clear benefits - targeted policing in crime hotspots can reduce property crime by up to 31%. Focusing on serious crimes like domestic abuse also builds public trust in police forces.
However, unrecorded crime creates major problems. These are crimes reported to police but never officially recorded as offences. West Midlands Police failed to record over 16,600 violent crimes in 2019, and nationally only 78% of violent crime gets properly recorded.
Shocking Stat: Public confidence in police dropped from 62% in 2020 to just 47% in 2023, partly due to unrecorded crime issues.
The consequences are serious - investigations don't happen, offenders go unpunished, and police get deployed to wrong areas based on incorrect statistics. But it can also lead to decriminalisation of outdated laws and reduce public fear through less crime publicity.

Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Within communities, illegal behaviour can become so normal that crimes go unreported. Illegal video streaming is everywhere now, but most people don't see it as seriously criminal. This cultural shift creates new challenges, especially with cyber crimes that technology makes possible.
Some areas like Blackpool become trapped in cycles where vandalism, drug use, and other crimes become so accepted that they're rarely reported. This creates a ripple effect where communities become increasingly crime-ridden and rundown.
Legal change often follows unreported crime patterns. Homosexuality was illegal until 1967, but changing social attitudes eventually forced legal reform. Similarly, smoking laws evolved as medical research developed, leading to the 2007 ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.
New laws can be problematic though - New Labour created over 3,000 new offences between 1997-2006, potentially over-criminalising behaviour. Sometimes well-intentioned laws actually increase crime if they ignore underlying social issues.
Progress Update: Same-sex marriage became legal in 2015, showing how unreported 'crimes' can eventually lead to positive legal changes.
The positive side includes enhanced public safety through longer sentences for violent offenders and better protection for vulnerable groups through laws like "Tony's Law" for child cruelty cases.

Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Reporting crime has evolved dramatically beyond traditional police stations and 999 calls. Modern methods include CrimeStoppers for anonymous reporting, victim support services, downloadable apps, and even phones that connect to police by shaking them or quick-pressing buttons.
TV programmes like Crimewatch and station posters ("See it, say it, sorted") actively encourage reporting. From April 2020, new procedures were introduced for recording cyber-crimes where victim and perpetrator are in different locations.
Victim support services are showing real results - 99% of users report improved wellbeing after receiving help. These services provide crucial emotional and psychological assistance during traumatic experiences, encouraging more people to come forward.
However, victims often feel like "just another case," creating disconnection from their own situations. Long waiting times leave people feeling unsupported when they need help most, sometimes causing them to withdraw from the process entirely.
Success Story: Modern reporting methods and victim support are creating more accurate crime statistics and better outcomes for those affected by crime.
The increase in reporting methods means we're getting a truer reflection of actual crime levels, helping police and policymakers make better decisions. But the system still needs work to ensure victims feel genuinely supported throughout their experience.

Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user