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Results for residential burglary (china)

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Author: De Senna Fernandes, Linda Micaela Monteiro

Title: Residential Burglary in Macao: A Rational Choice Analysis

Summary: This thesis is based on an evaluation of 1,060 cases of residential burglary in Macao in the years 2001, 2002 and 2003. Using official data sources supplemented by interviews, self-reported measures and on-site observations, the analyses are aimed to see if the rational choice perspective can be used to explain the situation of residential burglary in Macao, thereby acquiring more background information concerning such criminal act. Such study makes use of the distribution pattern of hotspots for residential burglary, the time of the offence, the characteristics of the victims particularly their lifestyles and the characteristics of the dwellings within the neighbourhoods that are prone to such criminal act. Research findings reveal that the rational choice perspective provides an analytical tool to understanding certain aspects of residential burglary in Macao. The relevance of this perspective comes into play when burglars in Macao appear to make rational choice when selecting their offence locations as well as targets. For instance, burglars in Macao tend to choose i) neighbourhoods that are closer to their home base; ii) buildings that are comparatively vulnerable and within reach; iii) buildings that are near to ground-level stores that facilitate their target selection processes; iv) dwellings that are left unoccupied and are less visible to neighbours and passers by and v) time period that secures the absence of capable guardians (such as 12:01 - 18:00) if not the vulnerability of them (03:01 - 06:00). Whatever the degree of rationality, however, research findings also reveal that the rational choice perspective is limited to the extent that it cannot explain certain features in Macao. For instance, the perspective fails to explain why it is not necessary, in the situation of Macao, to ensure the presence of suitable targets existing all at once, why higher population density, higher neighbourhood's average income, higher transient population and higher individual's confinement to their routine daily activities are not associated with higher burglary rate in certain neighbourhoods. Indeed, the limitations of the rational choice perspective is owed, to a large extent, to the fact that the perspective is derived from Western studies and that Macao has its own unique geographical settings as well as cultural background that are seen to play a vital role in the determination of such distinctive pattern of residential burglary. Hence, although this research serves to flesh out the use of the rational choice perspective in assessing the validity of the choice criteria for residential burglary, it implores that other theoretical perspectives like social disorganisation theory, the routine activity and situational opportunity theories be used should the rational choice perspective be taken further. In addition, the discrepancy thus put forward suggests that crime prevention strategies should be divided into location-focused, dwelling-focused, victim-focused and offender-focused interventions in order to improve the current measures against residential burglary in Macao.

Details: Hong Kong: University of Hong Kong, 2007. 311p.

Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 11, 2013. at: http://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/52680

Year: 2007

Country: China

URL: http://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/52680

Shelf Number: 131612

Keywords:
Crime Prevention
Hot Spots
Property Crimes
Rational Choice Theory
Residential Burglary (China)