©THEBRIGHT EXAM SOLUTIONS 2024/2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
AC3.1: Explain the role of agencies in social
control. Exam Study Guide.
Social control definition - Answers✔conformity to the norms and values of society, which acts as
regulation
Agencies - Answers✔those who prevent people acting criminally/deviantly and encourage
conformity to social norms
why do we need social control? - Answers✔social control maintains order, and reinforces the
status quo - preventing the breakdown of society
CPS - aims - Answers✔- decides which cases are prosecuted
- determines appropriate charges, advising the police in early investigation
- prepare cases and present them in court
- provide info and support to victims and witnesses
CPS values - Answers✔- independent and fair
- honest and open
- treat everyone w/ respect
- behave professionally and strive for excellence
CPS - Funding - Answers✔it's a govt funded body and budget is approved by parliament
2016 - 17 budget: £5 billion
when costs are awarded by the courts they retrieve some of the costs from defendants
recovers criminal assets through confiscation, restraint and enforcement activities
CPS - Working practices - Answers✔- consists of 13 geographical areas in Eng and Wales
- CPS direct is available 24/7
- head of CPS is director of public prosecutions Max Hill
1
, ©THEBRIGHT EXAM SOLUTIONS 2024/2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
-there is code of practise that helps them to decide whether prosecution should take place. Has
two parts and both must be satisfied.
Evidential test - Answers✔prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that will
lead to prosecution
- admissible
- reliable
- credible
- any other material
Public interest test - Answers✔There must be public interest factors that tend towards
prosecution
- how serious was the offence
-level of culpability
- age/maturity
- impact on community
Threshold test - Answers✔allows immediate charging decision despite all the evidence not being
available
made on reasonable suspicion
only applied where the suspect present serious risk
How do the CPS achieve social control? - Answers✔- Through their role as prosecuting suspects
they reinforce the norms and moral codes of our society by attaching a criminal label to
behaviour. This possibility of prosecution also enables social order to be upheld as it instills a
fear of punishment in individuals, deterring them from committing crimes.
Police - Answers✔first professional police officers were known as 'peelers' - appointed in 1982
by Robert Peel
there are 45 regional police forces in the UK
also national law enforcement agencies such as NCA and BTP
Police - Aims - Answers✔- reduce crime and maintain law and order, involves the protection of
life and property, preservation of peace and prevention of criminality
- they have powers that are outlined in PACE 1984
Police - statutory powers - Answers✔- arrest
2
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
AC3.1: Explain the role of agencies in social
control. Exam Study Guide.
Social control definition - Answers✔conformity to the norms and values of society, which acts as
regulation
Agencies - Answers✔those who prevent people acting criminally/deviantly and encourage
conformity to social norms
why do we need social control? - Answers✔social control maintains order, and reinforces the
status quo - preventing the breakdown of society
CPS - aims - Answers✔- decides which cases are prosecuted
- determines appropriate charges, advising the police in early investigation
- prepare cases and present them in court
- provide info and support to victims and witnesses
CPS values - Answers✔- independent and fair
- honest and open
- treat everyone w/ respect
- behave professionally and strive for excellence
CPS - Funding - Answers✔it's a govt funded body and budget is approved by parliament
2016 - 17 budget: £5 billion
when costs are awarded by the courts they retrieve some of the costs from defendants
recovers criminal assets through confiscation, restraint and enforcement activities
CPS - Working practices - Answers✔- consists of 13 geographical areas in Eng and Wales
- CPS direct is available 24/7
- head of CPS is director of public prosecutions Max Hill
1
, ©THEBRIGHT EXAM SOLUTIONS 2024/2025
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
-there is code of practise that helps them to decide whether prosecution should take place. Has
two parts and both must be satisfied.
Evidential test - Answers✔prosecutors must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence that will
lead to prosecution
- admissible
- reliable
- credible
- any other material
Public interest test - Answers✔There must be public interest factors that tend towards
prosecution
- how serious was the offence
-level of culpability
- age/maturity
- impact on community
Threshold test - Answers✔allows immediate charging decision despite all the evidence not being
available
made on reasonable suspicion
only applied where the suspect present serious risk
How do the CPS achieve social control? - Answers✔- Through their role as prosecuting suspects
they reinforce the norms and moral codes of our society by attaching a criminal label to
behaviour. This possibility of prosecution also enables social order to be upheld as it instills a
fear of punishment in individuals, deterring them from committing crimes.
Police - Answers✔first professional police officers were known as 'peelers' - appointed in 1982
by Robert Peel
there are 45 regional police forces in the UK
also national law enforcement agencies such as NCA and BTP
Police - Aims - Answers✔- reduce crime and maintain law and order, involves the protection of
life and property, preservation of peace and prevention of criminality
- they have powers that are outlined in PACE 1984
Police - statutory powers - Answers✔- arrest
2
