NCJ Number
15534
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1974) Pages: 99-109
Date Published
1974
Length
11 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSES THE OCCUPATIONS OF TYPICAL VICTIMS, THE AGE AND MODEL OF CARS AND THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE THEFTS, ALONG WITH THE ATTITUDES OF THE VICTIMS TOWARD THE THEFT AND THEIR SUGGESTIONS FOR DEALING WITH THE CRIME.
Abstract
FROM A TEN PERCENT RANDOM SAMPLE OF MOTOR VEHICLE VICTIMS IN VICTORIA FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1971 TO JUNE 1972 IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TYPICAL VICTIM WAS A SALES, TRANSPORT OR COMMUNICATIONS WORKER WHOSE CAR WAS SEVEN OR MORE YEARS OLD, VERY LIKELY A HOLDEN OR MORRIS. HIS CAR WAS MOST LIKELY STOLEN FROM AN OPEN STREET, ROADWAY OR PUBLIC PARKING AREA ON A FRIDAY OR SATURDAY. ONE OR MORE DOORS OR WINDOWS WERE PROBABLY OPEN WITH NO STEERING WHEEL LOCKING DEVICE IN USE AT THE TIME. THE VICTIMS' PREDOMINANT FEELING AT DISCOVERING THE THEFT WAS DISBELIEF. VICTIMS RECOMMENDED IMPRISONMENT AND PAYMENT TO THE CAR OWNER FOR COSTS AND INCONVENIENCE AS PENALTIES FOR THE OFFENDER. COMPULSORY ANTI-THEFT DEVICES WAS THE MOST FREQUENT SUGGESTION FROM VICTIMS FOR HELPING TO REDUCE CAR THEFTS.