Repeat Offenders
At present there is little known about the repeat targeting practices of prolific
offenders. However, existing research suggests that those who repeatedly target the
same victim (person or place) are more established in their criminal careers and are
responsible for a large proportion of repeat crime.
Ashton et al (1998) 'Repeat Victimisation: Offender Accounts', International
Journal of Risk, Security & Crime Prevention.
Gill, M. & Pease, K. (1998) 'Repeat Robbers: How Are They Different?' in Gill,
M. (ed) Crime at Work: Studies in Security & Crime Prevention. Leicester:
Perpetuity Press.
(Pease K. (1998) Repeat Victimisation: Taking Stock. Crime Prevention
& Detection Paper 90. London: Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/prgpdfs/fcdps90.pdf)
There is a need for greater study of the relationship between repeat offenders,
repeat victims and different crime types, as much of the existing research has tended
to focus on burglary. Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships are recommended to
integrate fully repeat victimisation and offender career information, to aid detection
and prevention processes.
(Chenery, S., et al (1997) Biting Back II: Reducing Repeat Victimisation in Huddersfield.
Crime Detection & Prevention Series. Paper 82. London: Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/prgpdfs/fcdps82.pdf)
Offender Accounts
Research into offender accounts of why they repeatedly targeted the same place
or person reveals, low risks, high rewards and ease of access as primary motives.
For example:
Ericsson's study of interviews with 21 convicted multiple burglars
revealed that:
they often go back to burgle the same property
76% said that they had gone back to a number of houses after varying periods
of time to burgle them between two and five times
75% of those who returned said it was to steal more things
50% knew they had left behind things worth stealing
1 in 4 of the returners went back when they knew that goods would have been
replaced on insurance
1 in 4 anticipated finding unhidden cash.
40% of those offenders who claimed that they had not and would not return to
burgle a house again said that they shared information with others.
(Ericsson, U. (1995) 'Straight from the Horse's Mouth'. Forensic Update
43, 23-25)
Ashton et al. (1998) asked 186 people with a burglary conviction
and under supervision or in custody in West Yorkshire whether they had ever committed
repeat crimes against the same target:
Ashton, J. et al. (1998) 'Repeat Victimisation: Offender Accounts', International
Journal of Risk, Security & Crime Prevention.
Similar reasoning as that given in the Ericsson study was given by offenders.
Research carried out by Shaw & Pease (2000), which included interviews
of thirty-two male offenders in two Scottish prisons revealed that:
Offenders go back to the same targets
If an offender decides to go back to the same target, they are likely to do
it soon after the last time they were there
Many reasons were given by offenders for returning to the same target, including
the ease of previous visits, laziness and the knowledge that they has left items which
they wanted
Offenders often return to the same target at a time that fits in with their
own routine activities. Others make special, sometimes long-distance journeys to
go back
Some offenders return because of a grudge
The poor entrance security systems in many tenements in Scotland are used by
offenders to commit offences and to return to the same locations
Analysis of recorded crime data showed a high cross-over between crime types
occurred with a housebreaking followed by the theft of a motor vehicle at the same
address. Some offenders interviewed had carried out such offence sequences
Specific types of housing are targeted repeatedly by criminals: large houses
in the country which are not overlooked and can lay empty for long periods of time;
student accommodation; poor quality council flats and other types of flats with shared
entry systems
Specific car parks adjoining cinemas, hotels and town/city centre car parks
provide rich pickings for criminals time after time.
Virtual repeat offenders: The offender accounts in the Scottish study
support previous research evidence concerning the phenomenon of virtual repeats, where
very similar people, places or products are repeatedly targeted. For e.g. specific
models of cars are targeted by repeat offenders, in different locations; similar housing
on the same street or housing estate, student hall or residence accommodation, petrol
stations and supermarket sites are targeted by repeat offenders because of their similar
layouts.
Burglary on the same side of the street offenders:: Recent research
in Scotland and England tentatively suggests that one side of a street may ‘host’
most house burglary. Offenders admit targeting the same side of the street rather
than crossing the road.
The distinctive characteristics/targeting practices of those who perpetrate repeated
crimes against the same victims and places have important implications for Crime &
Disorder Reduction Partnerships.
By conducting research into the specific characteristics and methods of target
selection of these offenders from past repeat crimes, this information would enable
Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships to target known prolific offenders by reference
to the types of crime they are likely to commit in the future, providing an important
intelligence tool. Crime prevention and detection would be brought together systematically
and effectively to reduce repeat victimisation.
It is incumbent on Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnerships to ensure profiling
of offenders also examines repeat hate crime e.g. homophobic and racial.
Shaw M and Pease K (2000) Research on Repeat Victimisation in Scotland Scottish
Executive Crime Research Unit
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/kd01/green/repeat01.htm
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