Study Sources A, B and C then answer the question which follows.

SOURCE A: Crime in Scotland at lowest level for 30 years but sex attacks on the rise

CRIME in Scotland has fallen to its lowest level in more than 30 years, official statistics showed today.In 2012/13 there was a drop of over40,000 in the total number of crimes recorded by police across the country, down from 314,188crimes to 273,053 crimescompared to the previous twelve months.

Most welcome were the figures on violent crime. Violent crimesuch as murders, attempted murders and serious assaults all fell according to Scottish Government figures. But sex crimes, including rape, attempted rape and indecent assault, rose.Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill said the figures were "good news for all law-abiding citizens" across Scotland, although he did express concern over the rise in the number of recorded sexual offences. However, he was quick to point out that overall the number of sexual offences committed in Scotland was low compared to every other type of crime.

Crimes of dishonesty, such as house breaking, vehicle theft, shoplifting and other theft, are the most common type of crime in Scotland but these are also falling in number. Indeed, any review of the crime figures for the previous five to six years would show a steady decline in these types of crime.

Fire-raising, vandalism and drug crimes were also down from last year. Less serious crimes are called offences in the official statistics and these were up slightly from 2011/12. However, these figures included a big jump in offences of drinking in public places as well as motoring offences of not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone while driving.

In difficult economic circumstances the Justice Minister was pleased to be able to report another year in which the number of crimes in Scotland fell. He argued the increase in the number of police officers and a continued focus on community policing had, among other things, played a part in reducing crime.

Alternative crime figures also suggest crime levels are falling although they provide a different picture of crime in Scotland. The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2012-13, which measures peoples’ experience of crime, also suggested a drop in crime levels but suggested the figures for violent crime were higher. However, it did support the official figures in that around half of all crimes were crimes of dishonesty if the crimes of theft, vehicle theft and housebreaking were added together.

Source: Adapted from an article in national newspaper, 2013

Source B i) Crimes recorded by the Police in Scotland 2012-2013

Source: Scottish Government website, 2013

Source B ii) Scottish Crime and Justice Survey – Percentage (%) of different crimes as identified by Scottish public 2012-13

Source: Scottish Crime and Justice Survey, 2012-2013

Source C – Crimes recorded by the police, Scotland, 2007-08 to 2012-13

Crime group / 2007-08 / 2008-09 / 2009-10 / 2010-11 / 2011-12 / 2012-13 / % change 11-12 to 12-13
Total Crimes / 385,509 / 377,433 / 338,124 / 323,247 / 314,188 / 273,053 / -13
Non-sexual crimes of violence / 12,874 / 12,612 / 11,228 / 11,438 / 9,533 / 7,530 / -21
Murder, attempted murder & serious assault / 6,711 / 6,472 / 5,621 / 5,493 / 4,693 / 3,643 / -22
Sexual offences / 6,552 / 6,331 / 6,527 / 6,696 / 7,361 / 7,693 / 5
Rape & attempted rape / 1,053 / 963 / 996 / 1,131 / 1,274 / 1,462 / 15
Sexual assault / 3,502 / 3,297 / 3,412 / 3,220 / 2,908 / 3,008 / 3
Crimes of dishonesty / 166,718 / 167,812 / 153,256 / 155,870 / 154,337 / 135,899 / -12

Source:Scottish Government website, 2013

Use only the information in Source A, B and C to answer the following question.

To what extent is it accurate to state that crimes of dishonesty were the most common crime in Scotland and were the only type of crime that increased?

(8 marks)

Marking Instructions

The candidate is required to evaluate three complex sources detecting and explaining selectivity.

Candidates can be credited in a number of ways up to a maximum of 8 marks.

In order to achieve credit candidates must show evidence which supports the extent of accuracy of a given viewpoint.

  • Award up to four marks for appropriate use of a source depending on the quality of the explanation and the development of the evidence to support and / or not support a view.
  • For full marks candidates must refer to all three sources. A maximum of four marks if only one source used and a maximum of six marks if only two sources used.
  • For full marks evidence must be cited that both supports and opposes the given view. Maximum of six out of eight if only one side given.
  • For full marks candidates must make an overall judgement as to the extent of accuracy of the given view. Maximum of six marks if no overall judgement made on the extent of the accuracy of the statement.
  • Up to two marks also available for accurate comment/analysis of the origin and reliability of the sources.

Examples of the types of evidence that support the view include:

  • Source A states: Crimes of dishonesty, such as house breaking, vehicle theft, shoplifting and other theft, are the most common type of crime in Scotland. (1 mark)Link to Source C: they accounted for 135,899crimes (highest in graph) in 2012/13. (1 mark)
  • Source A: Around half of all crimes were crimes of dishonesty if the crimes of theft, vehicle theft and housebreaking were added together.Link toSource Bii: Scottish Crime and Justice Survey pie chart shows 51% for crimes of dishonesty (2 marks)

Examples of types of evidence that does not support the view include:

  • Source A: Any review of the crime figures for the previous five to six years would show a steady decline in these types of crime. Link to Source C: Crimes of dishonesty fell from 166,718in 2007-2008 to 135,899 in 2012-13 (-12%). (2 marks)
  • Source A: But sex crimes, including rape, attempted rape and indecent assault, rose.(1 mark)Link to Source C: All sexual offences rose 2011/12-2012/13 e.g. sexual assault 3%. (1 mark)
  • Source A: Less serious crimes are called offences in the official statistics and these were up slightly from 2011/12.(1 mark)

Overall comment (Up to 2 marks available):

  • The statement is only partially true. It is clear from the evidence in Source B and C that crimes of dishonesty are the most common. (1 mark) However, crimes of dishonesty are not increasing whereas crimes such as sexual assault are on the increase (5% shown in Source C).(1 mark)

Comment / analysis on the origin or reliability of the source (Up to 2 marks available):

  • Source A is ‘adapted’ and this means that it may be subject to change or omission and therefore it may be less reliable than when originally written. Also, newspaper articles may be biased. (1 mark)However, Source A makes extensive reference to Scottish Government (taken as largely reliable) statistics and these are backed up by Source Bi and Source C. (1 mark). Overall mainly reliable.
  • Any other valid point