NCJ Number
139500
Journal
Crime and Justice Bulletin Issue: 16 Dated: (May 1992) Pages: 1-6
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This bulletin examines the extent of stealing in New South Wales (NSW) -- when it occurs, what is stolen, and victim and offender characteristics -- and considers strategies for dealing with stealing in general and shoplifting in particular.
Abstract
In 1990, 131,164 stealing offenses were recorded by the police in NSW, a rate of about 15 offenses every hour. This figure represented 2,273 stealing offenses per 100,000 persons and 27.2 percent of all recorded offenses in NSW. The highest rate of stealing occurred in metropolitan Sydney. Most offenses involved stealing from property. A large proportion of these offenses occurred on business and shop premises and involved shoplifting. Stealing from property offenses also occurred in the street and included bicycle theft, theft of goods from cars, and theft of road signs. Similarly, private residents were popular targets of thieves. Cash, household goods, and handbags and wallets were the most popular items stolen from Australian householders. Persons at greatest risk of being victimized were between 15 and 24 years of age, male, never married, unemployed, and living in a mobile and/or improvised dwelling. In 1990, 9,583 adults and 2,518 juveniles were found guilty of stealing. Penalties usually imposed for stealing offenses varied according to jurisdiction. The most common penalty in NSW local courts was a fine followed by recognizance and imprisonment. The value of goods stolen in shoplifting offenses recorded by police in 1990 exceeded $12 million. With 23,827 recorded shoplifting offenses, this amount represented about $505 per offense. Theft prevention measures in residences and shops and on the street are discussed. 38 notes, 1 table, 2 figures, and 2 maps