NCJ Number
77476
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Dated: (April/June 1981) Pages: 105-118
Date Published
1981
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This British study of the differences between crimes cleared up by the police and unsolved crimes shows that police detection of burglaries varies according to the types of goods stolen and between different police divisions.
Abstract
Data on all burglaries known to have been committed in 1975 in four Lancashire towns were collected from police records. The data covered the value and type of property stolen and the address where the offense occurred. In most cases, information on the type of building was also available. Census data on social class, tenancy types and car ownership were also collected for each enumeration district. Two hypotheses relating to 'professional' and 'amateur' criminal activity (H1) and to police effort (H2) were advanced as explanations of any differences which might arise in detection patterns. The findings showed limited support for H1 in that detection increased as the value of property stolen increased. The findings also showed that police detection patterns did not differ according to the type of premises involved and the enumeration districts found within police divisions. Further research should include studies of public reporting and police recording practices, differences in professional and amateur activity, and degrees of police effort. The results are compared with those of another study. Tables and 13 references are included.