NCJ Number
142169
Journal
International Journal of the Sociology of Law Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 297-319
Date Published
1992
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This paper documents the developments in law and order policy in England and Wales which arose in response to the right-wing politics of the Thatcher and post-Thatcher governments and assesses the impact of such policies on British society during this period.
Abstract
A review of law and order ideologies accompanies discussion of crime control policies, the extent of crime in Britain, Home Office proposals to deal with an upward spiral of recorded crime, crime and environment and unemployment, the emergence of an "underclass," and police effectiveness. Major increases in police spending marked the decade of the 1980s. The 1992 "Conservative Party Manifesto" identified a 74- percent increase in spending on police from 1979 and a 16- percent increase in police strength. These figures demonstrate the commitment of Conservative governments to law and order, but, despite this investment, recorded crime increased to 5.3 million in 1991, which represents a 16-percent increase from 1990. 35 references