NCJ Number
36246
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1976) Pages: 257-266
Date Published
1976
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIEVES AND FENCES IS ELABORATED UPON IN DETAIL WITH A GREAT MANY EXAMPLES DRAWN FROM VICTORIAN ENGLAND - THIS RELATIONSHIP WAS NOT ALWAYS COOPERATIVE IN THAT THIEVES WERE OFTEN COERCED.
Abstract
LOOKING AT PROFESSIONAL CRIME AS A RATIONAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, GEARED TO MAKING MONEY AND MINIMISING RISKS, ENABLES US TO SEE THAT THE ARRANGEMENT OF AUTONOMOUS THIEVES AND FENCES ENGAGING IN MARKET RELATIONS IS NOT LIKELY TO GIVE WAY TO AN ARRANGEMENT OF FENCES EXERCISING CENTRAL CONTROL OVER THIEVES. THERE MAY BE INDIVIDUALS IN THE UNDERWORLD WHO WILL WISH TO ATTEMPT SUCH CONTROL, BUT THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED UNLESS THEY CAN OFFER THIEVES SOME REAL ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES WITHOUT INCREASING THE RISKS OF CRIME TOO MUCH. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)