Crime as a Complex and Contested Concept

Crime is a complex and contested concept which will be examined through different definitions to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of collected information about crime and how it affects the way society receives information on crime. This essay will discuss crime to determine why it is contested and received in such a broad category and how interpretations and misrepresentations of crime can make and change society’s views on crime. Crime as a contested concept

Through different definitions of crime it could be noted that crime is “ubiquitous as being everywhere and affecting everyone”(White and Perrone 2020 p39) looking at crime this way shows that this concept of crime can be so problematic because it varies in definition to everyone. Crime can be seen as any act or omission that can be punished by law (Weatherburn 2019). It may also be seen to be linked to morality, with what can be viewed as right and wrong or downright criminal which is identified