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Crime deterrence and unemployment in England and Wales: an empirical analysis.

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 06:35 authored by Barry ReillyBarry Reilly, Robert Witt
This paper uses aggregate data from 42 police-force areas over 12 years to test predictions of Becker's economic model of crime. The effects of measures for deterrence on the incidence of three types of acquisitive criminal activity (burglary, theft, robbery) in England and Wales are explored. Mixed support for the Becker model emerges. The growth in unemployment is seen to impact positively on two of the three types of criminal activity examined. Per capita household income is seen to have a negative effect on the recorded rates of burglary and theft, but there is some evidence that the income variable is a proxy for the effects of unemployment. Poor housing conditions and the relative youth of the population were also found to play a role in the determination of criminal activity.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Bulletin of Economic Research

ISSN

03073378

Publisher

Bulletin of Economic Research. Published by Blackwell Publishers Ltd.

Issue

2

Volume

48

Page range

137-159

ISBN

0307-3378

Department affiliated with

  • Economics Publications

Notes

Published by Blackwell Publishers Ltd.

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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