Car Burglaries: Reduction or Displacement? The Results of a Rotterdam Campaign to Curb Thefts From Cars

• NCJ Number: 160511
• Author(s): R B P Hesseling; U Aron
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 84 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Netherlands Ministry of Justice
• Sale Source: Gouda Quint Bv
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Country: Netherlands
• Note: Ondersoek en Beleid, N 147 (Research and Policy, N 146)

Annotation

This statistical study informs on a one year trial to curb thefts from cars in the center of the Dutch city of Rotterdam.

Abstract

The preventive and repressive steps implemented from 1992 to 1993 included increased use of police surveillance units and guards, as well as information services for drivers and victims. The study is based on police and court data, a survey of actual and potential victims, an analysis of changes in reported crimes, and interviews with offenders. The results indicate that the campaign did not displace car burglaries from the center of the city to other police districts. Although the number of thefts from cars decreased by 882 in 1993, the increased supervision at specific locations did not affect the number of burglaries at those sites. In fact, the car burglaries remained at nearly the same geographical location. The rise in the rate of car burglaries in other areas was attributable to a general trend in recent years. However, an increase in different property offenses in the center of Rotterdam indicates that some burglars had simply switched to other types of theft. Statistical charts are included.