Why did poor living conditions in England lead to people committing crimes?

Conditions in England in the 18th century were tough: the Industrial Revolution had made it harder for people to earn an honest wage as simpler tasks were replaced by machine labour. A single machine, whether it be a sewing machine or a plough used in farming, could replace numerous people. As a result, unemployment rose, and people turned to crime to survive. The theft of basic necessities such as food and clothing was particularly common, and these crimes were committed by men, women and children equally.