Explaining Patterns of Victimization Within a Rural County of England

• NCJ Number: 212396
• Journal: International Criminal Justice Review Volume: 14 Dated: 2004 Pages: 99-123
• Author(s): Rob I. Mawby; Carol Jones
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 25 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reports on a mailed victim survey conducted in the rural county of Cornwall in England.

Abstract

The household survey contained questions on respondents' experiences of crime during the previous 13 months; their perceptions of crime, disorder, and incivilities in the area where they lived and in their most frequented town; their fear of crime and perception of safety; their view of alternative crime reduction strategies; their perception of the police; and personal characteristics, including lifestyles and characteristics of the areas where they lived and spent time. A total of 3,752 completed questionnaires were received, a response rate of 36.5 percent. The findings indicate that 38.8 percent of households had experienced at least one offense over the previous 13 months, with 25.9 percent reporting an offense to the police; 31.3 percent had experienced a property crime, with 21 percent reporting an offense to the police; 21.8 percent had experienced an aggressive incident, with 12.7 percent reporting at least one such incident to the police; and 13.2 percent had experienced a home-based crime, with 9.1 percent reporting such an offense to the police. Those at highest risk for personal victimization were males under 20 years old and ages 20-29 and persons who were single, separated, or divorced. Households at greatest risk of victimization included those with low incomes who were public or private renters. Those who had more luxury items (comparatively rich) in their homes were at greater risk of victimization as well. Those who spent the most time out of the home in the daytime and most evenings experienced the most crime. The data partly support routine activity theory, in that those at greatest risk of victimization tended to live in close proximity to potential offenders had more exposure to victimization opportunities, and lived in areas relatively unprotected by formal or informal surveillance. 8 tables and 51 references