08 May Crime in the UK. Is it more widespread than you think?
The UK has seen a growing rise in crime throughout the country, a worrying trend that has been gripping the country over the past few years and has finally had light shed on it throughout this year with the numerous stabbings and shootings happening around the country. It is believed that the major cause of crime rapidly growing are city gangs who are moving into new territories and in doing so are using extreme violence to enforce themselves and force out any rivals. Places like Hertfordshire have experienced a 150% rise in incidents over three years with many counties around London suffering the most from the epidemic where young people are exploited and used as runners for the ever-growing illicit drugs trade.
The UK is still experiencing more common forms of crime such as burglary, which increased by 9% last year, homicide which also increased by 9%, robbery which increased by 33% and vehicle theft which also increased by 17%. Despite violence offences not increasing there was a 22% increase in knife or sharp object charges. However a rise in crime which is spreading throughout the country also coincides with a sharp drop in the amount of police officers in the country. The level of crime in the UK is known to be a determining factor for how money is spent on the police and for many even affect how they vote. Police forces in England have lost over 20,000 officers since 2010 while the West Midlands and Greater Manchester police force have lost over 3,700 officers combined. The Metropolitan police which are the largest force in the UK has lost over 1850 officers despite policing the capital and being the leading force in counter terrorism.
Much of the crime that is being experienced nowadays involves young people and there are plenty of concerns about the potential damage that this can do. A Metropolitan police report indicated that between 2014 and 2016 the number of children carrying knives in London schools rose by almost 50% while knife offences in schools rose by 26%. This sudden trend of younger people feeling the need to carry a weapon with them has been attributed to the growing popularity of ‘Drill’ music, a form of music which has taken off since 2015. Much of these songs appear to glorify the life of a criminal with artists seen carrying weapons, rapping about killings of rivals and the selling and use of drugs. This has caused a stir recently as many of these rappers gain millions of views with the majority being those who are under 18 years old. DJ Bempah, a drill artist said that “If that’s what you see in your environment, as an artist, that’s what you portray in your lyrics.” He added that the music “Can glamorise violent crime, but it can’t force your hand to commit those actions.”
