This episode offers an overview of Realist theories of crime within sociology, specifically contrasting Right Realism and Left Realism. Right Realism attributes crime to individual factors such as biological predispositions, inadequate socialisation within the family, and rational choices made by offenders, advocating for punitive measures like zero-tolerance policing and the Broken Windows theory. Conversely, Left Realism acknowledges the reality of crime but critiques the harshness of Right Realism, instead focusing on societal causes like relative deprivation, marginalisation, and the formation of subcultures as responses. Left Realists propose solutions that involve both effective community policing and addressing social inequalities that contribute to crime. Both perspectives, despite their differences, are presented as practical approaches to understanding and tackling crime.