Burglary in a Dwelling - The Offense, the Offender and the Victim

• NCJ Number: 91109
• Author(s): M Maguire; T Bennett
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 214 pages
• Sale Source: Heinemann Educational Books, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Cambridge Studies in Criminology, V 49

Annotation

Residential burglary is too common in England and Wales and has a frightening image among the public, but is rarely as objectively serious as people imagine.

Abstract

Confrontations between victim and offender rarely occur, and physical contact or violence takes place in only a tiny proportion of cases. About four-fifths of all burglaries occur during the day or evening in unoccupied houses. Only 5 of 322 victims interviewed reported any gratuitous acts of vandalism, although 45 reported that property was strewn extensively across the floors of rooms. The value of property stolen is often low. Cash is the main target, often involving prepayment meters for gas and electricity. Burglars also commonly steal electrical goods, silverware, jewelry, cigarettes, food, and alcohol. People living in large towns and cities are much more likely to become victims than are residents of small towns or rural areas, unless the latter are particularly wealthy and live close to a large urban area. Burglars tend to choose detached houses and properties near the ends of streets. They also avoid houses that are clearly occupied. Known offenders generally operate relatively close to home. About one-fourth of the victims are badly shaken by the experience and a small minority, mainly women, suffer long-lasting effects including fear, sleeplessness, and deep distrust of others. Police can do much for the welfare of victims by listening sympathetically to the victims' concerns, reassure than with basic facts about burglary, and conduct thorough initial investigations. Physical crime prevention measures are often of little or no help in keeping a burglar out, since a burglar's main concern is to find an unobserved access point to an unoccupied house. Increased attention to the plight of victims would underscore the psychological damage which is the worst aspect of the offense. Figures, data tables, an appendix presenting additional data, chapter notes, an index, and 135 references are provided.