NCJ Number
227796
Journal
Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2007 Pages: 109-120
Date Published
June 2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined the journey to and from the crime location for auto-theft offenders in the United Kingdom.
Abstract
The study used the distance mobility triangle proposed by Groff and McEwan, which involves three points, with distances between the points measured to form a triangle. The points are the location of the offender's residence, the vehicle theft location, and the location of vehicle recovery. The study explored the characteristics of each distance of the mobility triangle and assessed the impact of any significance of each location to the auto-theft offender. A number of offense and offender factors were identified, along with their influence on the mobility triangle. The study found that distances traveled to and from home locations were approximately equal; whereas distances between theft and disposal points were shorter. Distance traveled by offenders under 17 years old and offenses that involved offenders under the influence of drugs or alcohol were shorter than comparison groups of offenders not under the influence of these factors. Habitual auto-theft offenders tended to travel farther, although there was significant variation in this subgroup. These findings suggest that areas felt to be safe for the theft of a vehicle were also safe for disposal of the vehicle, so such areas could be targeted for crime-prevention work. The study focused on vehicle theft offenses recorded by the Northamptonshire Police in the East Midlands between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2005. There were 10,297 vehicles reported stolen during this time period. Of these, 58.9 percent were recovered. Due to missing, incomplete, and inaccurate location data, approximately 38 percent of those offenses that resulted in detection could not be included in further analysis of the mobility triangle, resulting in a final sample of 852 offenses. 6 tables, 3 figures, and 19 references