Area, Crime and Incivility: A Profile From the British Crime Survey (From Communities and Crime Reduction, P 30-47, 1988, Tim Hope and Margaret Shaw, eds. -- See NCJ-118256)

• NCJ Number: 118258
• Author(s): T Hope; M Hough
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Her Majesty's Stationery Office
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

Data from the British Crime Survey form the basis of this description of geographical variations in crime and related phenomena and analysis of its relevance to recent theories about disorderly behavior and its relationship to crime in a neighborhood.

Abstract

The survey shows clearly that rates for burglary, vehicle theft, bicycle theft, and vandalism all increase with population density. Crimes of violence, in which the victim and offender often know one another, show a similar but less marked relationship. The risks of crime are particularly high in inner city areas with splits between the homes of the rich and homes of urban transients, multiracial areas consisting of low-income rentals mixes with owner occupancy, and the poorest public housing estates in inner cities or suburban areas. Fear of crime increases with crime. In addition, residents are most likely to perceive disorderly behavior like drunkenness and rowdy youths as problems in areas with high crime rates. Findings provide some support for general theories regarding the association between disorderly behavior and crime in a community, but do not provide evidence regarding whether reducing disorderly behavior will reduce crime. Tables, 18 references, and appended description of the method of classifying neighborhoods.