Breaking and Entering - The Plague of Modern Society (From Burglary - A Social Reality, P 67-80, 1985, Satyanshu K Mukherjee and Leona Jorgensen, eds. - See NCJ-102649)

• NCJ Number: 102653
• Author(s): K G Barlow
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

This paper reviews Queensland's (Australia) break-and-enter law and presents break-and-enter information on offenses, clearances, juvenile involvement, tools used, offender classes, entry methods, and police policies.

Abstract

The break and enter offense in Queensland involves entry into a place with the intent of committing an indictable offense. Entry with such an intent is unlawful when gained through force, threats, and deceit. Breaking-entering offenses in Queensland for 1983-1984, 1982-1983, and 1981-1982 were respectively for residences 14,187; 15,198; and 11,894. Clearance rates for these years were between 16 and 18 percent. For 1983-1984, juveniles were involved in 55 percent of breaking-entering offenses. Overall, such offenses are committed by professionals (major thefts involving selected targets), opportunists (target obviously unattended homes), and juveniles (work in groups to enter homes for money and portable items). Approximately 40 percent of entries are through unlocked doors or windows. Common tools for forced entry are the 'jemmy' bar, the screwdriver, a brick through a window, or stillsons to pull the door handle off. Police efforts are primarily reactive. Although investigative effectiveness can be improved, higher clearance rates are not likely to impact breaking and entering significantly. Greater preventive community participation is required. 2 data tables.