Deck 10: Life Course Criminology

Question 1

Following almost universal increases in property crime during the 1970s and 1980s, recorded property crimes in the USA, Britain and other European countries have since experienced a general decline.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

What is property crime?

Answer 2

Property crime refers to a category of crime that involves the theft of property or the destruction of property without the use of force against the victim. Unlike violent crimes, which involve harm or the threat of harm to individuals, property crimes are primarily concerned with objects and possessions. The primary motive behind property crime is usually economic gain, although vandalism and arson may be motivated by other factors such as revenge, anger, or ideological reasons.

Common types of property crime include:

1. **Burglary**: The unlawful entry into a building or other premises with the intent to commit theft or any other felony.

2. **Larceny-Theft**: The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another. Examples include shoplifting, pickpocketing, and bicycle theft.

3. **Motor Vehicle Theft**: The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle, such as a car, truck, or motorcycle.

4. **Arson**: The willful or malicious burning or attempting to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling, public building, motor vehicle, aircraft, personal property of another, etc.

5. **Vandalism**: The willful or malicious destruction, defacement, or damage to property without the consent of the owner or the person having custody or control of it.

Property crimes are typically prosecuted by the state, and the severity of the charges can vary widely depending on the value of the property involved, the circumstances of the crime, and the criminal history of the offender. Penalties for property crimes can range from fines and restitution to probation, community service, or imprisonment.

Efforts to prevent property crime include community policing, neighborhood watch programs, security measures such as locks and alarms, and educational campaigns to raise awareness about securing personal belongings.

Question 3

Many historians have explained the changing level of property crime by referring to the combined effects of key changes in British social and economic life during this period - which of these are included?

A)Population growth
B)Immigration
C)Depopulation of cities
D)Urbanization
E)Unemployment

Answer 3

A, D, E

Question 4

From the 1830s onwards, crime has been Classified into six main types: which of the following are included in this list?

A)Offences against property (with violence)
B)Offences against currency
C)Offences against property (without violence)
D)Offences against Royal properties
E)Malicious offences against property

Question 5

In Britain the British Retail Consortium calculated that staff theft during 1997 cost shops a total of how much?

A)£10.75m
B)£53.8m
C)£227m
D)£374m
E)£658m

Question 6

With the notable exceptions of which two coutries has there been a rapid and sustained increase in crime, especially property crime, in the post-war period

A)China and North Korea
B)Japan and Switzerland
C)Australia and USA
D)Germany and France
E)Germany and Switzerland

Question 7

Official statistics around the world suggest that by far the most frequently reported crime is what? (Nicholas et al., 2007)

A)Car crime
B)Rape
C)Assault
D)Theft
E)Property crime

Question 8

According to the National Board for Crime Prevention (1994), 10 per cent of victims experience 66 per cent of all crimes in Britain.

Question 9

Writing about the first BCS, Hough and Mayhew (1983: 15) cited that the average household could expect to be burgled ´once every 8 years´.

Question 10

Most existing studies have concentrated on the impact of more serious personal or property crimes, as opposed to the majority of everyday crimes or other high-profile cases of business crime or criminal negligence. What is the drawback of such an approach?