Household occupancy and burglary: A case study using COVID-19 restrictions. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frith, Michael J.; Bowers, Kate J.; Johnson, Shane D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of criminal justice. Volume 82(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Burglary -- COVID-19 -- Lockdown -- Household occupancy -- Guardianship -- Routine activities perspective; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Justice pénale -- Administration -- Périodiques; 364.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2022.101996
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-2352

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: In response to COVID-19, governments imposed various restrictions on movement and activities. According to the routine activity perspective, these should alter where crime occurs. For burglary, greater household occupancy should increase guardianship against residential burglaries, particularly during the day considering factors such as working from home. Conversely, there should be less eyes on the street to protect against non-residential burglaries. Methods: In this paper, we test these expectations using a spatio-temporal model with crime and Google Community Mobility data. Results: As expected, burglary declined during the pandemic and restrictions. Different types of burglary were, however, affected differently but largely consistent with theoretical expectation. Residential and attempted residential burglaries both decreased significantly. This was particularly the case during the day for completed residential burglaries. Moreover, while changes were coincident with the timing and relaxation of restrictions, they were better explained by fluctuations in household occupancy. However, while there were significant decreases in non-residential and attempted non-residential burglary, these did not appear to be related to changes to activity patterns, but rather the lockdown phase. Conclusions: From a theoretical perspective, the results generally provide further support for routine activity perspective. From a practical perspective, they suggest considerations for anticipating future burglary trends. Highlights: Burglary declined in London during the pandemic, but different types of burglary were affected differently. Residential and attempted residential burglaries both significantly decreased, the former particularly during the day Decreases to residential and attempted residential burglaries appear to be mostly explained by changes in household occupancy Significant decreases in non-residential and attempted non-residential burglary were not related to activity pattern changes