Research in collaboration with Keele University explores the Criminal Classes
University of Liverpool researcher, in partnership with Keele University undergraduate student, have published a new book, ‘The Criminal Classes: Who Does Society Fear and Why?’, today (19 February 2024).
The book, co-authored with Keele University Criminology undergraduate, Alex Godfrey, explores why the idea of a ‘criminal class’ came into being in the nineteenth century and follows the story through to 1970s joyriders, 1990s ravers, and up to today’s crime concerns.
Findings describe the actions taken to control the perceived hard-core of criminality, and explore how society learns about crime, dangerous areas, and the individuals who habitually offend against society. Answering questions relating to our knowledge of dangers lurking in inner cities, and the role of newspapers, authors, and social investigators in sensationalising crimes, this book encouraged debate amongst authors in a bid to draw conclusions on the ‘criminal class’.
Speaking of the publication, Professor Barry Godfrey, Professor of Social Justice, University of Liverpool, shared:
“Co-authoring the book with Alex highlighted a generational divide in how we interpreted findings, which we feel has provided a rounded view of the subjects. Thanks to much debate between the authors, we feel the results have provided a detailed and well-evidenced book which is lively and informative in tone.”
The book, published by Pen & Sword True Crime, compares real-life criminals (and their lives) with fictional accounts, such as the Artful Dodger, Pinkie in Brighton Rock, and the scenes that social investigators such as Henry Mayhew dragged back from the criminal rookeries to entertain and frighten respectable people.
Research showed which groups have been targeted as the ‘criminal classes’, particularly young people, and ethnic minorities. Drawing upon findings, the book concludes by asking ‘Who are the new criminal classes likely to be?’.
Alex Godfrey, Keele University undergraduate, researched all case studies present in this book and sourced all historical and online data. Professor Barry Godfrey, Department of Sociology, Social Policy, and Criminology, University of Liverpool, has written up the results.
Alex Godfrey, Second Year Undergraduate, Keele University, said:
“It was fascinating to research the different groups in the book, and to see how the idea of the ‘criminal’ has evolved throughout history”.
Barry Godfrey is a Professor of Social Justice at the University of Liverpool. He has over twenty years’ experience in researching serious and habitual offenders in the UK and internationally. He is widely published and frequently appears on TV and the radio. Alex Godfrey has a keen interest in the history of crime and is currently studying for a degree in criminology at Keele University.
‘The Criminal Classes: Who does society fear and why?’ is now available.
Listen to the interview