NCJ Number
121747
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: (1989) Pages: 273-282
Date Published
1989
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Highlights of a 5-year Canadian study of armed robbery address trends in armed robbery over the last 25-30 years, the nature and dynamics of the crime, the motives and perspectives of offenders, the role and reactions of victims, and the response of the police and judiciary to robbery incidents.
Abstract
From 1962 to 1980, there was a four-fold increase in the per capita robbery rate in both Canada and the United States. Factors contributing to this are urbanization, demography, and social and economic conditions negatively impacting families and individuals. Robberies vary in their sophistication, violence, and profits according to the nature of the target. Four groups of offenders have been identified: the chronic offender, who has a long but amateurish career; the professional, who has a long and effective career; the intensive offender, who commits many poorly planned robberies over a short period; and the occasional offender, who commits only a few robberies over a short period. Although victims rarely experienced physical force, offender threats tended to increase with victim resistance. Victims experienced various physical and emotional ailments following robberies. In Quebec, the clearance rate for robbery is less than 10 percent. Public assistance and cooperation is an important factor in resolving cases. 8 references.