NCJ Number
143525
Journal
Home Office Research and Statistics Department Research Bulletin Issue: 33 Dated: (1993) Pages: 1-4
Date Published
1993
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Car crime careers in England and Wales include an apprenticeship period; car thieves show a great deal of specialization and seem to be attracted by considerable psychological and financial benefits.
Abstract
These results were obtained from a study of 100 car thieves (98 males and 2 females between the ages of 14 and 35) that investigated their careers, perceptions of legal sanctions, and some situation factors that affect what cars they steal and from where. Nearly 70 percent said they had been stealing cars for two years, and nearly half said they had stolen more than 100 cars. About three-quarters admitted to engaging in stealing expeditions two to three times per week at some points. Most respondents said they had become involved in car theft at the age of 14 or 15, mostly in the company of an experienced friend. Following an apprenticeship period, the thieves usually cooperated in joint ventures, with the breaking-in and driving roles swapped frequently. Theft of items from the cars, particularly stereos and cassettes, provided the thieves with a source of steady income; More than one-third of respondents had become involved in professional car theft rings to maximize their profits. Car theft gave the respondents a sense of excitement which seemed to contribute to the frequency of offending. More than half of the car thieves said they specialized in car crimes, and only a small majority of those had engaged in other types of crime, usually burglary. 6 references