Rates of Participation in Burglary and Motor Vehicle Theft: Estimates and Implications for Policy

• NCJ Number: 230397
• Author(s): Don Weatherburn; Jiuzhao Hua; Steve Moffatt
• Date Published: July 2009
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Crime and Justice Bulletin, No. 130, July 2009

Annotation

This study estimated the size of the burglar and motor vehicle thief population in New South Wales (NSW) and calculated the likelihood of either offender being caught and convicted for their crime.

Abstract

This study found that over a 2-year period in New South Wales (NSW) from 2006 to 2007, approximately 32,000 people committed a home burglary and approximately 23,000 people committed a motor vehicle theft. For these 2 years, it was found that 16.6 percent of the burglars and 13.5 percent of the motor vehicle theft offenders were apprehended and convicted at least once during this time period, a much higher rate than was originally anticipated. Data for this study came from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research re-offending database, known as ROD. The database contains details of every person since 1994 who has appeared in a NSW court and been charged with a criminal offense. By determining the rates of participation and conviction for burglary and motor vehicle theft, the results of this study will enable law enforcement officials to make sensible judgements about how to balance limited resources between crime prevention and law enforcement goals. Implications for policy are discussed. Tables, notes, references, and appendix