NCJ Number
153198
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 34 Issue: 4 Dated: (Autumn 1994) Pages: 487-498
Date Published
1994
Length
12 pages
Annotation
An exploratory analysis of calls to the Merseyside police in England during 1988-90 revealed distinct seasonal patterns in calls involving domestic disputes and residential burglary.
Abstract
The Merseyside police received just under 20,000 calls to domestic disputes in each of the 3 years. Calls to domestic disputes had a predictable seasonal variation of 25-30 percent; peaks occurred at the end of December and beginning of January and from mid-July to mid-August. Calls regarding burglary declined during each year studied, but had a predictable seasonal variation of 35-40 percent. The low point occurred in July or August, the highest levels occurred during February and March. Such patterns did not exist for vehicle crime, for which a rapid decline occurred in one year. Findings suggest that the seasonal patterns could provide insight into the problems involved, as well as direction for crime prevention activity. Tables, footnotes, appended tables, and 17 references