Trafficing: Heroin
June 1, 2025
Analysis of Crime Types part2
June 2, 2025
Definitions of Crime Types
Part1
Antisocial Behaviour?
There are three main categories for antisocial behaviour, depending on how many people are affected:
Personal antisocial behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.
Nuisance antisocial behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
Environmental antisocial behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.
Under these main headings antisocial behaviour falls into one of 13 different types:
Vehicle abandoned: This covers vehicles that appear to have been left by their owner, rather than stolen and abandoned. It includes scrap or ‘end of life’ vehicles and those damaged at the scene of a road traffic collision that have been abandoned and aren’t awaiting recovery.
Vehicle nuisance or inappropriate use: This relates to vehicles being used in acts such as street cruising (driving up and down the street causing annoyance and bothering other road users), vehicle convoys and riding or driving on land other than a road. It also covers the misuse of go-peds, motorised skateboards and electric-propelled cycles, and the unlicensed dealing of vehicles where a person has two or more vehicles on the same road within 500 metres of each other.
Rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour: This refers to general nuisance behaviour in a public place or a place to which the public have access, such as private clubs. It does not include domestic-related behaviour, harassment or public disorder which should be reported as crimes.
Rowdy or nuisance neighbours: This covers any rowdy behaviour or general nuisance caused by neighbours, including boundary and parking disputes. It also covers noise nuisance from parties or playing loud music.
Part2
Littering or drugs paraphernalia: This includes fly posting and discarding litter, rubbish or drugs paraphernalia in any public place.
Animal problems: This covers any situation where animals are creating a nuisance or people’s behaviour associated with the use of animals is deemed as antisocial. It includes uncontrolled animals, stray dogs, barking, fouling and intimidation by an animal.
Trespassing: This is any situation in which people have entered land, water or premises without lawful authority or permission. It ranges from taking an unauthorised shortcut through a garden to setting up unauthorised campsites.
Nuisance calls: This covers any type of communication by phone that causes anxiety and annoyance, including silent calls and intrusive ‘cold calling’ from businesses. It does not cover indecent, threatening or offensive behaviour which should be reported as crimes.
Street drinking: This relates to unlicensed drinking in public spaces, where the behaviour of the persons involved is deemed as antisocial. It also covers unplanned and spontaneous parties which encroach on the street.
Activity relating to sex workers or sex working: This relates to any activity such as loitering, displaying cards or promoting sex worker services. It may also refer to activities in and around a brothel that impact on local residents. It does not include ‘kerb-crawling’ which should be reported as a crime.
Nuisance noise: This relates to all incidents of noise nuisance that do not involve neighbours (see ‘Nuisance neighbours’ above).
Begging: This covers anyone begging or asking for charitable donations in a public place, or encouraging a child to do so, without a license. Unlicensed ticket sellers at or near public transport hubs may also fall into this category
Misuse of fireworks: This will include the inappropriate use of fireworks, the unlawful sale or possession of fireworks and noise created by fireworks
Part3
Assault
There are different assault offences, depending on how seriously the victim was injured, the harm caused and ‘culpability of the offender’. That means how responsible the perpetrator was for the crime.
Common assault: when someone uses force, such as pushing or slapping, or makes threats of violence. (This doesn’t have to involve physical violence.)
Actual bodily harm (ABH): when someone is hurt or injured as a result of an assault.
Grievous bodily harm (GBH) or wounding: when someone is seriously injured in an assault, such as being stabbed. The injury does not have to be permanent.
Causing GBH or wounding with intent to cause GBH: this is the most serious form of assault charge in UK law, where there’s a very serious injury and the offender intended to cause serious harm to the victim. It can carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Experiencing a violent crime can be deeply upsetting and traumatic. If you’ve been physically assaulted, you may have serious or painful injuries. Other physical effects could include sleeplessness or other sleep problems, and a loss of appetite.
Whether you’re physically hurt or not, being assaulted or threatened can have a big effect on you emotionally.
You may feel any, or none, of the following emotions:
- shock, disbelief, denial or feeling numb
- feeling very upset
- low mood or sadness
- feeling fearful, anxious or ‘on edge’
- anger towards your attacker
- feeling vulnerable, isolated or lonely
- self-blame or guilt for being in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’.
Please know whatever you’re feeling is normal and OK. There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to feel after experiencing an assault.
Part4
A person is guilty of common assault if they either inflict violence on another person – however slight this might be – or make that person think they are about to be attacked.
They do not have to be physically violent – for example, threatening words or a raised fist could lead the victim to believe they are going to be attacked – and that is enough for the crime to have been committed. Other acts like spitting at someone may also classed as common assault.
The offence covers both intentional and reckless acts. For example, the offender may not have intended to cause the victim to think an attack was imminent but if they behaved in way that was likely to make the victim think they were about to be attacked, and they didn’t care what effect that behaviour would have, the offender is guilty of the offence.
If violence is used in a common assault, it is called a “battery” and the perpetrator would be charged with “assault by beating”. This does not however, mean that the victim was actually ‘beaten up’ or even hit or kicked – it could be that they were pushed, grabbed or spat at. The victim may not therefore have suffered any physical injury, and if any injury was caused, it would need to be quite minor to fall under common assault.
There are some situations in which actions that might fall under the definition of ‘assault’ are lawful, for example in medical interventions, in self-defence, or where it is part of a contact sport like rugby.
The maximum sentence allowed by law for common assault is six months imprisonment, and cases can only be heard in the magistrates’ court. If the assault is racially or religiously aggravated, the maximum sentence is two years imprisonment and cases can be heard in the Crown Court as well.
There are two other offences related to common assault – assault with intent to resist arrest and assault on a police constable in execution of his duty
Assault with intent to resist arrest (section 38 Offences against the Person Act 1861)
This offence happens when someone commits a common assault at the time of a lawful arrest or detention with the aim of resisting or stopping the arrest, whether it is them or someone else being arrested. The victim need not be a police officer and could be a private citizen assisting an officer, or a private citizen or store detective making a citizen’s arrest. The maximum sentence is two years and cases can be heard in either the Crown Court or in the magistrates’ courts.
Part5
Arson
Because Arson has the potential to cause significant, large-scale damage to both property and people (including loss of life it is seen as a serious criminal offence. Arson is a crime in which a person intentionally or recklessly sets and thereby puts people or property at risk.
There must be either intent or a reckless act to be found guilty of Arson. Examples of intent include setting fire to your own property for fraudulent reasons or setting a property alight to cause fear or terror. Recklessness happens when a person acts without regard for consequences, throwing a lit cigarette in a dry field for example.
Arson: Arson is defined as the willful or malicious burning or exploding of property with the intent to cause damage. This can include structures, vehicles, forests, and other types of possessions.
A classic example of arson could be a scenario in which a person intentionally sets fire to an abandoned building with the goal of destroying it. The act is deliberate, and even if no injuries occur, the person can still be charged with arson.
Legal Framework: Arson is governed by both state and federal laws. Here are several key elements to consider:
Culpability: The prosecution must demonstrate that the accused acted with malice aforethought, meaning they had the intent to cause harm or acted in a manner that showed reckless disregard for the potential consequences.
Degrees of Arson: Many jurisdictions classify arson into degrees based on factors like the type of structure (commercial vs residential) and whether any injuries were involved. For example, first-degree arson often involves occupied buildings and may carry harsher penalties.
Part6
Damages: The calculation of damages for arson can be complicated. For instance, if a fire causes extensive damage to a commercial property, the formula for calculating damages \textbf{D} can involve both the cost of property damage and lost business revenue, represented as \text{D} = \text{Property Damage} + \text{Lost Revenue}.
Legal Penalties: The penalties for arson can be severe. In many states, penalties may range from years in prison to substantial fines. Below is a general outline of potential penalties based on the degree of the crime:
Arson can manifest in various ways, and understanding specific examples can help clarify the law’s application. Common scenarios include setting fire to residential properties, commercial buildings, or vehicles. Each case can demonstrate different motivations, such as vandalism, insurance fraud, or intentional harm. Below are some common examples of arson that illustrate how the law intervenes in different situations.
For instance, a person might break into an abandoned house and set it ablaze as a prank. Even though no one was harmed, they can still be prosecuted for arson because of the intent to set the fire and cause damage to property.
In another case, an individual may set fire to their own property to collect insurance money. This act constitutes insurance fraud and is a serious crime that can lead to significant legal penalties in addition to the arson charge.
Consider a scenario where a group of teenagers starts a fire in a forest during a camping trip. If it is determined that they were reckless or did not take proper precautions to prevent the spread of fire, they could face arson charges.
Part7
Burglary
Burglars target homes that they think will contain valuables. A sure giveaway is leaving packaging from expensive items outside your front door
Burglars often look for homes with windows or doors left open or with vulnerable features that they can exploit.
Burglars are aware of the times when someone is expected to be away from their house such as during the school run or holidays
Burglars typically do not want to be seen or heard and if they feel that they would be noticed by a neighbour or passerby then they are more likely to feel exposed and may move on to find somewhere else to burgle
Burglars often choose a home because they’ve spotted a specific vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle they want to steal – and the keys are more than likely to be inside the residence
Sheds and garages are often vulnerable as they are not that secure and contain tools which the burglar can use to assist them to gain entry to a home
It’s a fact that many burglars return to homes that they’ve previously burgled because the homeowner failed to upgrade security following the first burglary. They sometimes return to an area to try to burgle a nearby home that they spotted while committing a previous break in. Even more reason for you to ensure you keep your home as safe as houses
Part8
Criminal Damage
Destroying or damaging property.
(1)A person who without lawful excuse destroys or damages any property belonging to another intending to destroy or damage any such property or being reckless as to whether any such property would be destroyed or damaged shall be guilty of an offence.
(2)A person who without lawful excuse destroys or damages any property, whether belonging to himself or another—
(a)intending to destroy or damage any property or being reckless as to whether any property would be destroyed or damaged; and
(b)intending by the destruction or damage to endanger the life of another or being reckless as to whether the life of another would be thereby endangered;
shall be guilty of an offence.
(3)An offence committed under this section by destroying or damaging property by fire shall be charged as arson.
Threats to destroy or damage property.
A person who without lawful excuse makes to another a threat, intending that that other would fear it would be carried out,—
(a)to destroy or damage any property belonging to that other or a third person; or
(b)to destroy or damage his own property in a way which he knows is likely to endanger the life of that other or third person;
Part9
Without lawful excuse.
Possessing anything with intent to destroy
A person who has anything in his custody or under his control intending without lawful excuse to use it or cause or permit another to use it—
(a)to destroy or damage any property belonging to some other person; or
(b)to destroy or damage his own or the user’s property in a way which he knows is likely to endanger the life of some other person;
Punishment of offences.
(1)A person guilty of arson under section 1 above or of an offence under section 1(2) above (whether arson or not) shall on conviction on indictment be liable to imprisonment for life.
(2)A person guilty of any other offence under this Act shall on conviction on indictment be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.
(1)This section applies to any offence under section 1(1) above and any offence under section 2 or 3 above other than one involving a threat by the person charged to destroy or damage property in a way which he knows is likely to endanger the life of another or involving an intent by the person charged to use or cause or permit the use of something in his custody or under his control so to destroy or damage property.
(2)A person charged with an offence to which this section applies, shall, whether or not he would be treated for the purposes of this Act as having a lawful excuse apart from this subsection, be treated for those purposes as having a lawful excuse—
(a)if at the time of the act or acts alleged to constitute the offence he believed that the person or persons whom he believed to be entitled to consent to the destruction of or damage to the property in question had so consented, or would have so consented to it if he or they had known of the destruction or damage and its circumstances; or
(b)if he destroyed or damaged or threatened to destroy or damage the property in question or, in the case of a charge of an offence under section 3 above, intended to use or cause or permit the use of something to destroy or damage it, in order to protect property belonging to himself or another or a right or interest in property which was or which he believed to be vested in himself or another, and at the time of the act or acts alleged to constitute the offence he believed
Part10
Search for things intended for use in committing offences of criminal damage.
(1)If it is made to appear by information on oath before a justice of the peace that there is reasonable cause to believe that any person has in his custody or under his control or on his premises anything which there is reasonable cause to believe has been used or is intended for use without lawful excuse—
(a)to destroy or damage property belonging to another; or
(b)to destroy or damage any property in a way likely to endanger the life of another,
the justice may grant a warrant authorising any constable to search for and seize that thing.
(2)A constable who is authorised under this section to search premises for anything, may enter (if need be by force) and search the premises accordingly and may seize anything which he believes to have been used or to be intended to be used as aforesaid.
(3)The M1Police (Property) Act 1897 (disposal of property in the possession of the police) shall apply to property which has come into the possession of the police under this section as it applies to property which has come into the possession of the police in the circumstances mentioned in that Act.
Evidence in connection with offences
A person shall not be excused, by reason that to do so may incriminate that person or the [F1spouse or civil partner] of that person of an offence under this Act—
(a)from answering any question put to that person in proceedings for the recovery or administration of any property, for the execution of any trust or for an account of any property or dealings with property; or
(b)from complying with any order made in any such proceedings;
but no statement or admission made by a person in answering a question put or complying with an order made as aforesaid shall, in proceedings for an offence under this Act, be admissible in evidence against that person or (unless they [
Part11
Cyber Flashing
Cyber flashing is a form of indecent exposure (also known as ‘flashing’) that takes place online.
It can happen over text, email, WhatsApp, social media, dating apps or other online platforms. It can also happen via AirDrop, Nearby Share or other apps that allow someone to send files to people close by – including strangers.
Like indecent exposure that happens in person, cyber flashing is sometimes dismissed as ‘funny’. But it’s in fact a form of sexual violence and a serious crime that can lead to imprisonment.
Not only is cyber flashing very common (especially against young women and girls), but it can also be very harmful. It is often upsetting or scary for the person who experiences it, and can make them feel unsafe.
Cyber flashing can be part of grooming. This is a form of sexual abuse that happens when someone builds a false relationship or connection with a child or vulnerable person in order to gain power or control over them, and more easily carry out other forms of sexual violence or abuse.
Cyber flashing became a criminal offence in England and Wales on 31 January 2024 and carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
The first person to be convicted of cyber flashing in England and Wales was sentenced to prison less than two months later.
The deputy chief crown prosecutor for the region where he was sentenced said:
“Just as those who commit indecent exposure in the physical world can expect to face the consequences, so too should offenders who commit their crimes online; hiding behind a screen does not hide you from the law.”
Part12
Childhood Abuse
Child abuse is when anyone under the age of 18 is either being harmed or not properly looked after. There are four main categories of child abuse: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Find out more about each below, as well as the warning signs that a child may be being abused.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is when someone hurts a child or young person on purpose.
Examples of physical abuse are:
- hitting, slapping, shaking or throwing
- burning or scalding
- drowning, suffocating or choking
- pushing or kicking
- inappropriate restraint or false imprisonment
- using physical force to discipline
- misusing medication
- fabricating or inducing an illness or ill health
Signs and symptoms of physical abuse in children can include:
- unexplained recurrent injuries, marks or burns
- covering injuries with clothing even in hot weather
- fear of physical contact and shrinking back if touched
The above are just a few examples.
Part13
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is when a child is enticed or forced to take part in sexual activities. This kind of abuse does not always involve a high level of violence and the child may or may not be aware of what is happening.
The abuse may be committed by adult men and women, or by other children.
Examples of sexual abuse are:
- causing or inciting a child to watch or engage in sexual activities
- encouraging a child to behave in sexually inappropriate ways
- involving a child in looking at sexual images or videos
- involving a child in the production of sexual images or videos
- grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet)
Signs and symptoms of sexual abuse in children can include:
- extreme reactions such as depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts, running away, overdoses or anorexia
- personality changes such as becoming insecure or clinging
- being isolated or withdrawn
- medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals or venereal diseases
The above are just a few examples. Another form of sexual abuse is child sexual exploitation.
Part14
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse happens in many different ways. It can affect how a young person or child feels about themselves, or how they fit in with friends, at school, or where they live.
Examples of emotional abuse are:
- being made to feel inadequate, worthless or unloved
- being unfairly blamed
- being bullied, including over the internet (cyber-bullying)
- being made to feel frightened or in danger
- witnessing the abuse of others such as domestic abuse
Signs and symptoms of emotional abuse in children can include:
- reduced physical, mental and emotional development
- continual self-depreciation, eg ‘I’m stupid’, ‘I’m ugly’, ‘I’m worthless’
- Inappropriate response to pain, eg ‘I deserve this’
- neurotic behaviour, eg rocking, hair twisting or self-mutilation
The above are just a few examples.
Part15
Neglect
Neglect is when a child or young person’s basic needs are persistently not being met by their parent or guardian.
These basic needs include:
- adequate food, clothing and shelter
- protection from physical and emotional harm or danger
- adequate supervision (including not being left at home alone)
- access to appropriate medical care including dental treatment
Signs and symptoms of neglect in children can include:
- constant hunger or tiredness
- poor personal hygiene
- poor condition and cleanliness of clothing
- untreated medical problems
- no social relationships
Part17
Fraud
A person is guilty of fraud if he is in breach of any of the sections listed in subsection (2) (which provide for different ways of committing the offence).
(2)The sections are—
(a)section 2 (fraud by false representation),
(b)section 3 (fraud by failing to disclose information), and
(c)section 4 (fraud by abuse of position).
(3)A person who is guilty of fraud is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F1the general limit in a magistrates’ court] or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or to both);
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to a fine (or to both).
(4)Subsection (3)(a) applies in relation to Northern Ireland as if the reference to 12 months were a reference to 6 months
Fraud by false representation
(1)A person is in breach of this section if he—
(a)dishonestly makes a false representation, and
(b)intends, by making the representation—
(i)to make a gain for himself or another, or
(ii)to cause loss to another or to expose another to a risk of loss.
(2)A representation is false if—
(a)it is untrue or misleading, and
(b)the person making it knows that it is, or might be, untrue or misleading.
(3)“Representation” means any representation as to fact or law, including a representation as to the state of mind of—
(a)the person making the representation, or
(b)any other person.
(4)A representation may be express or implied.
(5)For the purposes of this section a representation may be regarded as made if it (or anything implying it) is submitted in any form to any system or device designed to receive, convey or respond to communications (with or without human intervention).
Part19
Obtaining services dishonestly
(1)A person is guilty of an offence under this section if he obtains services for himself or another—
(a)by a dishonest act, and
(b)in breach of subsection (2).
(2)A person obtains services in breach of this subsection if—
(a)they are made available on the basis that payment has been, is being or will be made for or in respect of them,
(b)he obtains them without any payment having been made for or in respect of them or without payment having been made in full, and
(c)when he obtains them, he knows—
Part16
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is a gendered crime which is deeply rooted in the societal inequality between men and women. It is a form of gender-based violence, violence “directed against a woman because she is a women or that affects disproportionately.” (CEDAW, 1992).
Women are more likely than men to experience multiple incidents of abuse, different types of domestic abuse (intimate partner violence, sexual assault and stalking) and in particular sexual violence. Any woman can experience domestic abuse regardless of race, ethnic or religious group, sexuality, class, or disability, but some women who experience other forms of oppression and discrimination may face further barriers to disclosing abuse and finding help.
Domestic abuse exists as part of violence against women and girls; which also includes different forms of family violence such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and so called “honour crimes” that are perpetrated primarily by family members, often with multiple perpetrators.
- One in four women (27%) have experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16 (ONS, 2023a).
- Over the three-year period between April 2019 and March 2022, on average, at least one woman a week was killed by a male partner/ex-partner (ONS, 2023b).
- A minimum of £427 million is needed to be invested per year to fund specialist domestic abuse services for women and their children across England (Women’s Aid, 2023).
- Of the 888 women killed by ex/partner between 2009 and 2018, 43% had separated, or taken steps to separate, from the perpetrator (Femicide Census, 2020).
- Using On Track national data as our baseline data, we calculate that all refuge services in England supported an estimated 10,824 women and 12,989 children in 2022-23, and that all community-based support services supported an estimated 120,518 women and 156,673 children (Women’s Aid, 2024).
- 61.0% of all the referrals received in refuge services using On Track were rejected for various reasons. The main reason why referrals to refuge services were rejected was a lack of space or capacity, with 24.7% of rejected referrals being for this reason (Women’s Aid, 2024).
Part18
Fraud by abuse of position
(1)A person is in breach of this section if he—
(a)occupies a position in which he is expected to safeguard, or not to act against, the financial interests of another person,
(b)dishonestly abuses that position, and
(c)intends, by means of the abuse of that position—
(i)to make a gain for himself or another, or
(ii)to cause loss to another or to expose another to a risk of loss.
(2)A person may be regarded as having abused his position even though his conduct consisted of an omission rather than an act.
“Gain” and “loss”
(1)The references to gain and loss in sections 2 to 4 are to be read in accordance with this section.
(2)“Gain” and “loss”—
(a)extend only to gain or loss in money or other property;
(b)include any such gain or loss whether temporary or permanent;
and “property” means any property whether real or personal (including things in action and other intangible property).
(3)“Gain” includes a gain by keeping what one has, as well as a gain by getting what one does not have.
(4)“Loss” includes a loss by not getting what one might get, as well as a loss by parting with what one has.
Part20
(a)on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding [F1the general limit in a magistrates’ court] or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (or to both);
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to a fine (or to both).
(4)Subsection (3)(a) applies in relation to Northern Ireland as if the reference to 12 months were a reference to 6 months
