Rising crime in the UK

[Jamie Smithie]

There has been a dramatic rise in crime in the UK in recent years, as well as in other countries. What could be the cause of this? There was a time when stabbings and acid attacks and other crimes were rare, but it seems that nowadays it's a case of another day another stabbing. 

Whether it's "urban youths" (strange term, don't you think?) stealing phones, or individuals behaving in an aggressive, erratic way, there's always something in the news every day. It's also very worrying how many individuals these days are walking around wearing balaclavas. 

It never used to be like this. I wonder what might have given rise to all this crime and violence.

Crime is a complex social phenomenon. Looking for "the" cause to it seems awfully simplistic.

As for "urban youth" being a "strange term", doesn't most crime happen in urban areas? And isn't most committed by the under-30 demographic?

Yes that's true. I guess a huge chunk of crime s done by younger people in towns and cities, as opposed to older people in villages and the countryside. That's just the way things naturally turn out. 

But I do find it an odd term to use. It almost seems as though those who use it are trying to be politically correct or something. 

Just a hunch though. I'm sure crime is more or less equal amongst all demographics. I just wish the news would report more crimes done by whites. Unless of course for some reason they can't find as many. 

Just seems odd is all.