NCJ Number
157805
Date Published
1995
Length
74 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed modalities, working methods, victims, and offenders who burglarized businesses in the Netherlands.
Abstract
The results are based on a study of 1,000 police reports on business burglaries, surveys of victimized businesses, interviews with 83 business burglars, and the burglars' crime histories. In most investigated cases, the offenders entered by breaking a door or window on a Friday night or week-end. Preferred stolen items included cash, fax machines, tools, computers, and car accessories. Most burglarized businesses had taken some technological security precautions, though the use of security personnel was less wide-spread. The majority of interviewed offenders were poorly educated Dutch males in their twenties. Selecting their victims by the location of the building and the type of loot, the majority of offenders prepared methodically for the burglary by observing the establishment and receiving tips from employees. A large percentage of burglars had committed previous crimes such as house burglaries, car thefts, and violent crimes. To prevent future victimization, the study recommends to improve electronic security as well as police and private security surveillance. Detailed statistical charts are appended.