NCJ Number
147133
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: (1993) Pages: 87-100
Date Published
1993
Length
14 pages
Annotation
A phenomenological study focusing on a portion of the France-Belgium border compared the crime rates of four preselected border communities with the national crime rate and with four sociodemographically compatible nonborder communities which served as controls.
Abstract
A Belgian crime rate analysis shows that theft accounts for 80 percent of crime; this percentage holds true in the studied region. All border communities, including those in this study, are particularly vulnerable to ordinary theft and theft from cars. In comparison with the rest of the country, there is a greater amount of crime committed in the border communities and along the French-Belgian road networks. Several trends regarding border and cross-border crimes were identified. The authors established two forms of crime and the recreational patterns of offenders. The study focused in large measure on the activities of Kappa gangs, who concentrate their criminal activities on expensive, easily transportable goods. Their activities affect the vulnerable middle class but seem to leave the banking and business sectors intact. The study concluded with a population survey on the perception of crime in these border communities and on the judicial and police approaches to crime prevention and prosecution. 6 tables and 30 references