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Identifying, Explaining, and Targeting Burglary Hot Spots

NCJ Number
158114
Journal
European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: (1995) Pages: 113-123
Author(s)
T Bennett
Date Published
1995
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Burglary hotspots in Cambridge, England, were determined using mapping techniques and analyzed, through interviews with offenders, to explore why these areas were attractive.
Abstract
The research used data on the addresses of burglaries and offenders, interviews with offenders, police observations of the characteristics of properties in the identified hot spot area, a mailed household survey to confirm data, and self-reported questionnaires from new burglary victims to determine their previous burglary histories. Results revealed an uneven distribution of burglaries and the existence of both hot spots and cold spots. Factors associated for areas with hot spots were high numbers of repeat burglaries, an abundance of access and escape routes, and the closeness of the area to the residence of known offenders. The last factor appeared to be the most important. Thus, the hot spot site provides a local source of easy and rewarding opportunities for offenders who live in these areas. The next stage of this project, conducted by the Cambridge Domestic Burglary Task Force, will be to collate the information collected and devise appropriate intervention strategies. Figure, table, and 15 references

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