Gender and different types of offending

There are marked differences in the nature of crime committed by men and women at different ages:

Among Women

• Criminal damage, shoplifting, buying stolen goods and fighting were the most common offence types committed by girls under 16;

• Over the age of 16, girls committed less criminal damage & shoplifting, although they were increasingly involved in fraud and buying stolen goods

• Over 21, all types of offending fell: fraud or buying stolen goods were most often admitted.

Among Men

• Comparatively high rates of offending by 14 to 15 year olds reflected their involvement in fights (assaults), buying stolen goods, other theft and criminal damage. It was found that approximately 1 in 8 boys of this age admitted to each of these.

• Boys aged 16 to 17 were less involved in buying stolen goods, ‘other theft’ and criminal damage. Over a third of offences committed by this age group involved fighting

•  At 18-21, fighting increased; shoplifting & criminal damage declined; and involvement in fraud and workplace theft began

Flood-Page, C., Campbell, S., Harrington, V. & Miller, J. (2000) Youth Crime: Findings from the 1998/99 Youth Lifestyles Survey. Home Office Research Study 209. Home Office: London.
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hors209.pdf 

Campbell, S. & Harrington, V. (2000) Youth Crime: Findings from the 1998/99 Youth Lifestyles Survey. Home Office Research Findings 126. Home Office: London.