The influence of changing reward of electronic consumer goods on burglary and theft offences in Western market-based countries in the years prior to and during the crime drop

Abstract It is widely recognised that burglary and theft offence trends have broadly moved in parallel ‘Western’ market-based countries since the 1950s. Most researchers focussed on trend from early 1990s onwards, when rates plummeted. One major proposed explanation for this trend, relates to improved security. This paper draws longitudinal variations reward of electronic consumer goods propose a complementary account. argument supported by criminological theory, empirical evidence, historical specific property crime offences. The concludes explaining security operate partnership influence opportunity crime, which provides an optimal account over last 40 years.