Crime and the Crunch

LAW IN ACTION BBC Radio 4's Law In Action Tuesday 4 November 1600 BST On Radio 4 and online Latest programme

Does a recession mean more crime? According to a leaked letter from the Home Office in early September, it does.

That predicted a rise in alcohol and tobacco smuggling, in hostility to migrant workers and even in the numbers of people joining terrorist groups.

Models from the last recession in 1991-1992 suggest that, if the current slowdown continues on a similar scale, thefts and burglaries could increase by 7 per cent this year, and 2 per cent in 2009.

We report from Southend in Essex where one crime victim, Elaine Varney, describes how her house was burgled while she was attending her father's funeral.

And the British Retail Consortium tells us of their fears that shoplifting has already started to rise.

Elaine Varney shows how burglars broke into her house in Essex.

However, a senior police officer in Southend says changes in crime rates locally may mainly be down to whether a few prolific offenders are behind bars or not.

Clive discusses the issue with Jackie Lowthian from the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, NACRO, and Marian Fitzgerald, visiting Professor of Criminology at the University of Kent.

Professor Fitzgerald says that on past trends, acquisitive crime will go up, while violent crime will go down. However, the rapid increase in drinking may mean that violence - especially domestic violence - may increase too.

Farewell, Sir Ken

Sir Ken McDonald QC has just retired after five years as arguably the most visible and independent Director of Public Prosecutions to have held the office.

His appointment was not uncontroversial. Seen by some as a New Labour insider, he was a co-founder member of Matrix Chambers with Cherie Blair, had a conviction for sending cannabis to a friend, and had never prosecuted.

Sir Ken MacDonald QC with presenter Clive Coleman.

But he has presided over a transformation of the Crown Prosecution Service's organisation and morale.

Crucially it has taken over the key role of charging suspects from the police, and its lawyers have been allowed to do more advocacy in the courts.

In a wide-ranging interview, Sir Ken looks back at his time in office and has some acerbic comments on the rise in fixed penalty notices.

Money, votes and lawyers

As America goes to the polls, it's reported that the Obama campaign has recruited 5,000 lawyers to monitor votes in Florida alone. The Republicans have despatched similar numbers.

Nobody's taking any risks in this year's US elections votes count.

Ian Urbina of the New York Times explains why legal observers and pre-emptive lawsuits have become a key part of the electoral process in the US

What's the collective noun for 5,000 lawyers? Your suggestions:

It has to be a plague of lawyers! Richard Jennings

A disputation of lawyers Steve Davey

A pickle of lawyers Gavin

A swindle of lawyers Paul Clay

A brief of lawyers or a chamber of lawyers - or a conference of lawyers? Kelly Walter

A fee of lawyers Dr N. Jackson

Surely that would be a glut John Hobson

A chad of lawyers (especially if in Florida) George Cruddas

How about a menace of laywers? Steve Hurst

An aggravation of lawyers Gerard van Dam

How about an invoice of lawyers, or an expense of lawyers - or a bill or charge of lawyers? Dave Verguson

Let's go biblical and also echo public attitudes to practitioners. So how about a feeding of lawyers? David Smith

If you have any more suggestions please get in touch via our contact page.

Coming Up

We investigate challenges to parking laws - and discuss controversial calls for bilingual (Welsh-speaking and English-speaking) juries in the Welsh courts.

Contact the programme

If you have thoughts on any of the topics we've covered, or any other legal issues, you can contact us by email at [e-mail], or by post at Law In Action, BBC White City, Wood Lane, London W12 7TS, or you can call us on 020 8752 5646.

Law In Action is broadcast on Tuesday 4 November 2008 at 1600 BST on BBC Radio 4.