Dealing Drugs or Living Like Mugs? Dealing Drugs or Living Like Mugs? Consumerism, Crime and Status in A Consumerism, Crime and Status in A

North East TownNorth East Town

Craig Ancrum Craig Ancrum

Lecturer in Criminology Lecturer in Criminology

University of TeessideUniversity of Teesside

““It’s like the bloke next door to me mam, he’s worked It’s like the bloke next door to me mam, he’s worked on the council for twenty odd years, same crappy job on the council for twenty odd years, same crappy job every day, all that time, not even a fucking ford fiesta to every day, all that time, not even a fucking ford fiesta to show for it, never goes abroad, he’s got fuck all. show for it, never goes abroad, he’s got fuck all. People like that are just mugs…..” People like that are just mugs…..”

(‘Dut’, Cannabis Grower and thief) (‘Dut’, Cannabis Grower and thief)

Outline of ResearchOutline of Research

Ongoing ethnographic study of an ‘ex-industrial’ North Ongoing ethnographic study of an ‘ex-industrial’ North East townEast town

Study of active criminals.Study of active criminals. Most involved in drugs trade.Most involved in drugs trade. Involvement at various levelsInvolvement at various levels Major importer/ distributor to ‘tenner’ deal sellerMajor importer/ distributor to ‘tenner’ deal seller Varied age group. 17-60 years Varied age group. 17-60 years Majority 30s 40sMajority 30s 40s Most ‘professional’ criminals, ex-commercial burglars, Most ‘professional’ criminals, ex-commercial burglars,

some had involvement in armed robberies some had involvement in armed robberies Some involved in legitimate as well illegal business Some involved in legitimate as well illegal business

practicespractices

Research originally began for undergraduate Research originally began for undergraduate dissertationdissertation

MSc dissertation and two co-authored publicationsMSc dissertation and two co-authored publications Hall, Winlow & Ancrum(2005) Hall, Winlow & Ancrum(2005) ‘Radgies Gangstas and ‘Radgies Gangstas and

Mugs’,Mugs’, in Social Justice Vol.32:1 in Social Justice Vol.32:1 Concentrates on the effects of the imagination and Concentrates on the effects of the imagination and

media influences on criminality and identity media influences on criminality and identity construction construction

Hall, Winlow and Ancrum (Forthcoming 2007) Hall, Winlow and Ancrum (Forthcoming 2007) ‘Criminal ‘Criminal Identities and Consumer Cultures’Identities and Consumer Cultures’ Willan Press Willan Press

Now researching for PhD thesisNow researching for PhD thesis

Aims of researchAims of research

Research will involve a detailed examination of the Research will involve a detailed examination of the biographies of a number of individuals living in the biographies of a number of individuals living in the North East town of ‘Carville’North East town of ‘Carville’

Focusing on those whose involvement in criminality Focusing on those whose involvement in criminality over a sustained period or seeming ‘dedication’ to over a sustained period or seeming ‘dedication’ to criminality could lead them to be described as ‘career criminality could lead them to be described as ‘career criminals’. criminals’.

It will examine life histories, relationships, aspirations It will examine life histories, relationships, aspirations and everyday experiences of some of those living in and everyday experiences of some of those living in what have been termed ‘criminal life worlds’ (Hobbs & what have been termed ‘criminal life worlds’ (Hobbs & Dunnighan,1997 cited in Ruggerio et al 1998 4:289), in Dunnighan,1997 cited in Ruggerio et al 1998 4:289), in an attempt to cast light on the events, decisions and an attempt to cast light on the events, decisions and structural influences involved in ‘choosing’ a life of structural influences involved in ‘choosing’ a life of crime. crime.

The principal and over riding purpose of the research is The principal and over riding purpose of the research is to generate rich and descriptive data, reflective to generate rich and descriptive data, reflective analysis and innovative and ‘fresh’ ethnographic insight analysis and innovative and ‘fresh’ ethnographic insight into a subject where academic access is usually into a subject where academic access is usually seriously restrictedseriously restricted

Demystify the conceptions surrounding career Demystify the conceptions surrounding career criminalitycriminality

Within that framework explore the impact of Within that framework explore the impact of consumerism and a ‘neo-liberal’ free market society on consumerism and a ‘neo-liberal’ free market society on criminality and identity.criminality and identity.

Particular interest in construction of identity and Particular interest in construction of identity and ornamental consumerismornamental consumerism

Fragmented and diverse identitiesFragmented and diverse identities Value and appeal of a criminal identityValue and appeal of a criminal identity Being a ‘dealer’Being a ‘dealer’ Extent to which identities are being ‘adopted’?Extent to which identities are being ‘adopted’?

‘ ‘Carville’Carville’

Town on the banks of the Tyne once heavily dependant Town on the banks of the Tyne once heavily dependant on shipbuilding and miningon shipbuilding and mining

Decline in the 1970s – 80s due to increasing foreign Decline in the 1970s – 80s due to increasing foreign competition, rising inflation, lack of intervention by competition, rising inflation, lack of intervention by government etc.government etc.

Both industries now completely goneBoth industries now completely gone Problems nicely illustrated by local taxi driver; “first trade Problems nicely illustrated by local taxi driver; “first trade

dies off because no-one can afford to go out, then 100 dies off because no-one can afford to go out, then 100 ex-shipyard workers apply for cab licences and go into ex-shipyard workers apply for cab licences and go into competition with me.” (Rae&Smith, 2001)competition with me.” (Rae&Smith, 2001)

Taylor (1997), Hobbs(1995) and Winlow(2001), have all Taylor (1997), Hobbs(1995) and Winlow(2001), have all commented on the transforming nature of the death of commented on the transforming nature of the death of ‘Britain's economic stalwarts’ on traditional male identities ‘Britain's economic stalwarts’ on traditional male identities and criminalityand criminality

The towns council housing complexes have The towns council housing complexes have deteriorated gradually into typical ‘problem estates’deteriorated gradually into typical ‘problem estates’

Unemployment, high crime rate, vast amount of drug Unemployment, high crime rate, vast amount of drug use/abuse, low investmentuse/abuse, low investment etc. etc.

Replacement of traditional industrial employment with Replacement of traditional industrial employment with service based industryservice based industry

The social problems of ‘Carville’ earn parts of it a The social problems of ‘Carville’ earn parts of it a ranking in the top five per cent of deprived areas in the ranking in the top five per cent of deprived areas in the whole country in terms of education health and crime whole country in terms of education health and crime rate. (North Tyneside Council 2003)rate. (North Tyneside Council 2003)

A conceptual underpinning of the study concerns, A conceptual underpinning of the study concerns, therefore, the consequences of an area losing its therefore, the consequences of an area losing its traditional industrial working class stability (Paluski & traditional industrial working class stability (Paluski & Walters 1996) and the much debated effects on status Walters 1996) and the much debated effects on status and identity that de-industrialisation has engendered and identity that de-industrialisation has engendered (Hall, 1997, 1998; Taylor 1997; Hobbs & (Hall, 1997, 1998; Taylor 1997; Hobbs &

Dunnnighan,1997)Dunnnighan,1997)

Interest in the effect on ‘Habitus’ (Bourdieu, 1984)Interest in the effect on ‘Habitus’ (Bourdieu, 1984) A set of beliefs and dispositions carried in the body which A set of beliefs and dispositions carried in the body which

Bourdieu believed were internalised, but of external Bourdieu believed were internalised, but of external constructionconstruction . .

Has the traditional working class habitus been Has the traditional working class habitus been transformed by the lack of traditional employment transformed by the lack of traditional employment opportunities?opportunities?

Is it in the process of being changed?Is it in the process of being changed? Unfortunately, the kind of qualities that were demanded by Unfortunately, the kind of qualities that were demanded by

heavy industry, a robust physical hardness, strength, heavy industry, a robust physical hardness, strength, bravery, stoicism, fatalism and a ‘hard’ masculinity are all bravery, stoicism, fatalism and a ‘hard’ masculinity are all qualities that can be put to good use in a criminal career.qualities that can be put to good use in a criminal career.

Does a much more instrumental and commercially Does a much more instrumental and commercially motivated ethos now exist in areas like Carville?motivated ethos now exist in areas like Carville?

Dreams of consumptionDreams of consumption

““it’ll come. I know it will, I’m going to have the B.M.W , it’ll come. I know it will, I’m going to have the B.M.W , the nice house away from this shit hole, villa in the nice house away from this shit hole, villa in Tenerife, the full fucking monty, definitely. If they can Tenerife, the full fucking monty, definitely. If they can do it I fucking can. It’s cush when you go on the drink do it I fucking can. It’s cush when you go on the drink with them kind of people. You don’t queue to get in with them kind of people. You don’t queue to get in night clubs, pay for drinks or fuck all and there’s always night clubs, pay for drinks or fuck all and there’s always loads of ‘Charlie’ flying about, who fucking wouldn’t loads of ‘Charlie’ flying about, who fucking wouldn’t want to be able to go on like that?”want to be able to go on like that?”

(‘Nipper’, small scale Cocaine dealer, discussing the (‘Nipper’, small scale Cocaine dealer, discussing the appeal of being a successful criminal )appeal of being a successful criminal )

This admiration of the successful drug dealer present This admiration of the successful drug dealer present in many of those involved in the study so farin many of those involved in the study so far

The seductions of crime (Katz, 1998)The seductions of crime (Katz, 1998) Great importance placed on being seen to engage in Great importance placed on being seen to engage in

the criminal market place, of ‘being in the know’ the criminal market place, of ‘being in the know’ Being able to afford the symbols of successBeing able to afford the symbols of success Success relative obviouslySuccess relative obviously

MethodsMethods

Ethnographic studyEthnographic study Life history analysisLife history analysis detailed field observationsdetailed field observations Utilising what Adler termed ‘a delicate combination of Utilising what Adler termed ‘a delicate combination of

both overt and covert roles’both overt and covert roles’ (1985:27) (1985:27) ‘ ‘ A curious blending of methodological techniques’ A curious blending of methodological techniques’

Denzin (1970)Denzin (1970) Analysis following the principles of grounded theory, Analysis following the principles of grounded theory,

allowing for emerging theories to present themselvesallowing for emerging theories to present themselves

AccessAccess

Very privileged level of accessVery privileged level of access Grew up and still live in, the areaGrew up and still live in, the area Previous knowledge of the group being studiedPrevious knowledge of the group being studied Possess the ‘cultural competence’ Bourdieu (1984:2) Possess the ‘cultural competence’ Bourdieu (1984:2)

to achieve a good level of intimacyto achieve a good level of intimacy Van Maanen (1998) Adler (1985), Polsky (1971) wrote Van Maanen (1998) Adler (1985), Polsky (1971) wrote

of the need in good ethnographic study, for the author of the need in good ethnographic study, for the author to ‘be fully immersed’ in the culture of those under to ‘be fully immersed’ in the culture of those under scrutiny.scrutiny.

Some initial observationsSome initial observations

Evidence of adoption of a ‘criminal’ identity in some Evidence of adoption of a ‘criminal’ identity in some individualsindividuals

Importance of being able to have the ‘right’ consumer Importance of being able to have the ‘right’ consumer goods.goods.

Plasma screens, leather settees, cars, clothes, etc.Plasma screens, leather settees, cars, clothes, etc. Kids/wives adorned with gold jewelleryKids/wives adorned with gold jewellery Carrying two mobilesCarrying two mobiles Some disdain, mocking of those who work in low paid Some disdain, mocking of those who work in low paid

unrewarding occupationsunrewarding occupations Importance of ‘show’ and looking as if you are doing wellImportance of ‘show’ and looking as if you are doing well Work Work per seper se not always frowned upon, working for not always frowned upon, working for

yourself or highly paid work held in some esteemyourself or highly paid work held in some esteem

Some in the study operate in both legal and illegal Some in the study operate in both legal and illegal markets successfully markets successfully

Engagement in the drugs market seen by some as best Engagement in the drugs market seen by some as best means for achieving ‘success’ and statusmeans for achieving ‘success’ and status

Some violence associated with drug markets but often Some violence associated with drug markets but often very ‘civilised’very ‘civilised’

Violence appears to be more common at bottom end of Violence appears to be more common at bottom end of marketmarket

Rarer in upper levels but often more serious when it Rarer in upper levels but often more serious when it does occurdoes occur

The most frequently traded illegal commodities in the area seem The most frequently traded illegal commodities in the area seem to be Cocaine and Cannabis, especially ‘Skunk’to be Cocaine and Cannabis, especially ‘Skunk’

Massive rise in cocaine use in past 3-4 years. Massive rise in cocaine use in past 3-4 years. £40 a gram, £50 for better quality£40 a gram, £50 for better quality Usually adulterated with Lactose powderUsually adulterated with Lactose powder Pubs in the area spraying WD 40 etc on surfaces in toilets to Pubs in the area spraying WD 40 etc on surfaces in toilets to

prevent use for cocaine snortingprevent use for cocaine snorting Crack cocaine used but not sold!Crack cocaine used but not sold! Users ‘wash up’ powdered cocaine to smokeUsers ‘wash up’ powdered cocaine to smoke Growing skunk seen as easy and lucrative, average ‘crop’ approx Growing skunk seen as easy and lucrative, average ‘crop’ approx

80-100+ ounces of cannabis80-100+ ounces of cannabis Price of an ounce £120-140Price of an ounce £120-140 Crop every 9-11 weeksCrop every 9-11 weeks £14,000, potentially every crop£14,000, potentially every crop

Conclusion Conclusion

In areas where a man’s identity was supposedly once In areas where a man’s identity was supposedly once inherent in his occupational status, where people were inherent in his occupational status, where people were known and identified by their trade or the job of work known and identified by their trade or the job of work they performed, it is perhaps not surprising to see they performed, it is perhaps not surprising to see males attempting to ‘claim’ an identity from another males attempting to ‘claim’ an identity from another source if their traditional means of doing so is denied. source if their traditional means of doing so is denied.

It is quite clear that It is quite clear that one one such source can be found for such source can be found for some individuals in ‘being a criminal’ and immersion in some individuals in ‘being a criminal’ and immersion in criminal culturecriminal culture

By recording the biographies and experiences of those By recording the biographies and experiences of those in the study it may be possible to make a tentative step in the study it may be possible to make a tentative step towards recognising the significance of these ‘diverse towards recognising the significance of these ‘diverse and fragmented criminal identities’ for criminology (Hall, and fragmented criminal identities’ for criminology (Hall, et al 2005, 14). et al 2005, 14).

ReferencesReferences

Adler, Patricia A. (1985) Wheeling and dealing : an ethnography of an upper-level drug dealing and smuggling community Columbia University Press

Bourdieu, P. (1984) Distinction: a social critique of the judgement of taste London: Routledge

Hall, Winlow & Ancrum(2005) ‘Radgies Gangstas and Mugs’, in Social Justice Vol.32:1

Hobbs, Dick (1995) Bad business : professional crime in modern Britain Oxford University Press

Katz, Jack (1988) Seductions of crime : moral and sensual attractions in doing evil New York : Basic Books

Taylor, I. (1997) Crime in context Oxford University Press Winlow, S (2002) Badfellas, crime tradition and masculinity

Oxford Berg