This book gathers together, under one cover, many of the most important journal articles of the last 20 years on the subject of street crime, with particular focus on gangs, drugs and violence. It illustrates alternative ways in which criminologists have explained these phenomena, using concepts such as "Social Disorganization", "Subcultures" and "The Underclass." It also includes essays on patterns of street crime, introducing "Routine Activity" theory and the concept of "Hot Spots" of crime. Finally, it looks at the "politics" of street crime, including its presentation by politicians and The Media and at policy issues in attempts to reduce its incidence. The introduction by The Editor, Mike Maguire, provides an historical perspective, tracing ideas about street crime in American and British sociology and criminology from The Chicago School of the 1920’s and 1930’s to the present day.