Understanding how criminals think and behave is the first step in developing interventions that will prevent crime. This post identifies the most important information criminals do not want you to know.
This is the first in a series of articles that specifically focus on the beliefs and behaviors of local crime criminals. That is, those criminals that commit residential burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft etc. These articles will focus on what these criminals do not want you, or anyone else, to know.
Much of the information below regarding how and what criminals, and potential criminals, believe and behave was observed during a crime prevention program conducted between 2018 and 2020. Essentially, the project used ethnographical observations and conversations to gather information on the beliefs and behaviors of individuals and youth gangs in a Canberra suburb. You can review the findings of the research published in the Journal of Applied Security Research (see references below)
One caveat to be stressed prior to understanding the beliefs and behaviors described below, is that the beliefs and behaviors are of specially identified deviant groups. The specific views of the deviants may not seem or be accurate. However, it must be stressed that these are THEIR beliefs. So, for the individuals concerned, they are truth. This is important to remember, especially if crime prevention interventions are to be developed and implemented.
The first belief that will be outlined in this series, is that criminals do not want Councils, police, or anyone else to know, is that crime is NOT opportunistic. Or, at least not opportunistic in the way that the term has become in common usage. Criminals gather intelligence, plan and prepare for their crimes.
At present opportunistic crime seems to imply that criminals are randomly walking around and happen upon, for example, an open window into a house, and spontaneously seize this opportunity to illegally enter the house.
To overcome this, owners use what in criminology is called Environmental Crime Prevention methods to prevent this type of event from occurring. For example, owners are often told to keep their yards clear of tools that might be of use to a burglar. The idea being to make it harder for the burglar to break in.
In addition, crime prevention awareness campaigns run by Councils, often suggest the use of a variety of Situational Crime Prevention methods. For example, that residents should use alarms, locks on doors and windows, and be aware of who may be visiting their neighbors etc.
Both above-mentioned methodologies focus on changing the mindset of the criminal at the target location. In practice, this means that the criminal sees the open window, identifies that there may be an opportunity to break into the house. However, on closer inspection the criminal also sees that there is nothing to assist in getting into the window, or that there is a sturdy lock on the front door. The criminal, on analyzing the situation, decides that there is too much risk of being observed. The criminal determines not to break in.
Both these theories have been proven to work well in the past. However, recent research is showing that there are shortcomings with these methods. This is being brought about by the changing level of expertise of criminals.
For example, Armatige, and Chun, have found that experienced burglars can be attracted to houses that have additional security systems, or open and visible front yards. Also, Harding observed that criminals, even young and inexperienced ones, take considerable measures to plan, prepare and gather intelligence about their target well before entering the target site. For example, some of the measures observed included, taking video of the external target property which can be later reviewed, at a time of the criminals choosing, to identify any security systems in place. Then the criminals would plan how they would enter the property, where they would leave their getaway vehicles, the route they would take to escape if surprised, and the equipment they would need to enter the identified target house. Preparation would include, gathering the required equipment, preparing entry and exit methods, and putting a person in a lookout position, prior to entry onto a property.
Why don’t criminals want people to know about their level of planning?
Because with everyone else focusing on the criminal’s target, it leaves criminals with plenty of time to determine who and how they will attack. And how they will get away. Criminals understand that if people understood what they were doing when the criminal was conducting their planning and preparation, the criminal could be easily identified and compromised.
As Harding identified, when those responsible for protection of assets focus on criminal planning, preparation and intelligence gathering activities, results such as the 42% drop in burglary crime in Kambah ACT, can be achieved.
References
Armitage, R. (2018, June). A more reliable glimpse’ – Re-positioning the offender in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED). Paper presented at the Australian Institute of Criminology Crime Prevention and Communities Conference.
Chun, Y., & Lee, J. (2013). Traces of occupancy and its effect upon burglars’ residential target selection. Social Sciences, 2(3), 135–141. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20130203.15
David J. R. Harding (2021): Using Ethnography to Identify Deviant Behaviors, for the Development of Crime Prevention Interventions, Journal of Applied Security Research, https://doi.org/10.1080/19361610.2021.1956268
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