Environmental Theory

State that official crime statistics show that recorded crime is not evenly distributed between geographical areas. It is higher in urban areas than in rural areas, and higher in inner cities and on council estates compared to suburban areas and towns. BCS data suggests that people who live in rural areas worry less about crime than city residents. Urban dwellers are also more likely to perceive their areas as experiencing high levels of anti social behaviour.

Some theories have therefore examined the environment or ecology of towns and cities in order to explain crime. During the 1920’s, the Chicago School of sociologists looked at the relationship between criminality and the urban environment, and attempted to explain why crime rates were so high in cities.

Shaw and McKay examined the organisation of American cities such as Chicago. They observed the most are arranged into distinct neighbourhoods or zones, each with its…