Which of the following is stated as an aim of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998?

• A. Strengthen international extradition treaties
• B. Increase penalties for all crimes
• C. Address racial discrimination in criminal offences
• D. Expand surveillance powers for airports

Answer: (C)

The act is about reducing crime and disorder by getting local agencies to work together and by giving the justice system tools to respond to problematic behaviour, including youth offending and anti-social conduct. A key feature is the introduction of racially aggravated offences, which allows courts to treat crimes that are motivated by racial hostility as more serious and to impose tougher penalties. This directly addresses racial discrimination within criminal offences, aligning with the act’s aim to respond to racist crime within the justice system. The other options don’t reflect the act’s central priorities, which focus on community safety, partnership approaches, and targeted responses to specific types of crime rather than broad international or surveillance expansions.