NCJ Number
137830
Journal
Research Bulletin Issue: 31 Dated: (1991) Pages: 22-26
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
To determine the effects of the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984 on the investigation of household burglary, a comparison of burglary investigations before and after the introduction of PACE was conducted at three police stations in different forces: Chapeltown (West Yorkshire), Syston (Leicestershire), and Clapham (MPD).
Abstract
The study findings fail to support that PACE has reduced police effectiveness in solving burglaries. The primary method of clearing up burglary varied between stations, and the emphasis altered little over time. Clapham focused on charging suspects with the offenses for which they had been arrested; Chapeltown and Syston emphasized the interrogation of suspects for admissions to offenses in addition to those for which they had been arrested. The interviewing of suspects prior to charge occurred less frequently. One clear effect of PACE is that many more burglary suspects now obtain legal advice at the police station before being interviewed. Chapeltown and Clapham experienced a decline in arrest rates, but this was anticipated as one expected effect of PACE had been to encourage better grounded arrests. 2 tables and 3 references