Evaluation of the Leeds Distraction Burglary Initiative

Home Office Online Report No. 44/04

79 Pages Posted: 14 Jun 2005

See all articles by Stuart C. Lister

Stuart C. Lister

Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, School of Law, University of Leeds

David S. Wall

Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, School of Law, University of Leeds

Abstract

Distraction burglary (also known as "burglary artifice") has generated considerable public concern during recent years because of the predatory way in which vulnerable and older people are targeted. The hallmark of distraction burglary is the deliberate engagement with victims by offenders in order to deceive them and gain entry to their dwelling. If this approach is unsuccessful, then offenders sometimes resort to violence. This emphasises the serious nature of the offence and its potentially damaging impact upon victims. The research found that in West Yorkshire the average age of distraction burglary victims was 77 years. Almost three-quarters (72%) were aged over 75, with over half (57%) exceeding the age of 80. Most victims (69%) were female. It is estimated that distraction burglaries represent between four and eight per cent of all dwelling burglaries. The transient nature of offenders tends to impede detection, so a proactive, victim-focused crime prevention approach is merited.

Keywords: Burglary, Distraction Burglary, Crime Prevention, Policing

JEL Classification: K49

Suggested Citation

Lister, Stuart C. and Wall, David S., Evaluation of the Leeds Distraction Burglary Initiative. Home Office Online Report No. 44/04, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=741384 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.741384

Stuart C. Lister (Contact Author)

Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, School of Law, University of Leeds ( email )

Leeds LS2 9JT
United Kingdom

David S. Wall

Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, School of Law, University of Leeds ( email )

Liberty Building
University of Leeds
Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT
United Kingdom
+44 113 343 9575 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.law.leeds.ac.uk/people/staff/wall/

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
193
Abstract Views
1,820
Rank
283,614
PlumX Metrics