Green crime in the UK: How safe are Britain’s beaches?

How the failings of private utility companies has caused swimmers to fear going into the water.

In recent months, the failings of privatised water companies have hit the headlines as excess rainwater, fresh water and sewage have been released into coastal areas on the UK. Despite one of the driest summers on record, private companies lack of investment into safe water treatment and storage has been highlighted and this article from The Guardian outlines some of the impacts on the local communities of this negligence.

The article draws upon several areas of interest for sociology students with the most obvious being the green crimes that are being commited in the UK and how, despite not breaking the law, privatised water companies are causing harm to the environment – which links to the zemiological approach in criminology.

Furthermore, students may be able to draw upon the role of corporations and the government in this article, with the failings of the government to address the issue and the lack of investment in safe water treatment by the companies concerned.