NCJ Number
197727
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: 2002 Pages: 47-61
Editor(s)
Rob Mawby
Date Published
2002
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article discusses a study, based on "routine activities" theory, of property-related victimization on Australian farms, and examines the relationship between victimization factors and physical deterrence efforts undertaken by farmers who have experienced theft of stock, chemicals, fuel, machinery, equipment, and vandalism.
Abstract
A brief review of farm settlement history and previous research on agricultural crime in Australia begins this article. The study's goal was to understand the pervasiveness and seriousness of this type of crime. The data used were obtained from 620 responses to a survey, sent in November 2000, to randomly selected farmers across the State of new South Wales. It was found that 87 percent reported a crime occurring in the past 2 years. Tables include percentage of theft by type, percentage of property crime other than theft, percentage of farmers experiencing a crime in the previous 2 years by type of victimization and selected ecological factors. Figures show reported livestock thefts over the previous 2 years, reported incidents of illegal trespassing and shooting over the previous two years, rate of locking of farm property across the sample, and other security measures employed on the farm. The extent of the farmers' patterns of security efforts and their likely association with property crimes was assessed. "Routine activities" as related to farm crime are described as being being highly situational, ecologically based, farm-accessibility driven, and related to the social change occurring in Australia. It was found that farm crime was highly situational with location and ecological factors being important, such as type of terrain, proximity to urban centers and highways, and whether or not farm buildings were visible from the farm residence being of primary importance in determining vulnerability to crime. Different traits were associated with different types of crime. It was found that there was no association found between farmers' security practices and lower rates of victimization. Finally, a routine activities explanation was arrived at for understanding the occurrence of crime on Australian farms. References