During the 1830's in Victorian England, criminals had very severe punishments, yet many people indured the risk of being involved in gangs and other crimes because they felt the need and the right to belong. In this novel Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens shows that in Victorian England, just like today, individuals without a nurturing home life will sometimes become gang members to gain fulfillment of their basic human needs.

In this period the Victorian rule, crime was rapidly spreading greatly. Larceny, weather breaking into houses or pick pocketing, had become very popular. (plag) Many people started locking their doors, windows, cellars, and other entrances to their houses. Many newspapers started advertising locks that could not be picked. Breaking into houses was the second highest crime. (plag) Robberies, burglaries, and house- breaking occurred mostly in the suburbs.(plag) Servants or people who were familiar with...