As a result of a post on the Forestdale Facebook site asking if it would be worthwhile doing survey/research into the the properties targeted by burglars.

See the post below

I thought some such similar research must have previously been done, so I did a Google search. See Reference material below.

My first observation was the lack of recent research on burglary. Perhaps because the older research has almost been completely ignored.

My second observation was that a lot of articles where written by commercial organizations that have a vested interest in promoting the security services and products they sell, even though the non commercial articles say these products and services are unsuccessful burglary deterrent strategies.

I found:

1. A study of Australian burglary rates and public perceptions showed that, on the whole, public fear of burglary is well out of proportion to risk (Weatherbum et al 1996)
2. burglary often produces severe psychological effects for up to 12 months
3. Affluent homes often attract skilled professional burglars and residents living in poorer areas are vulnerable to the more typical offender who lives in close proximity (de Frances and Titus 1993).
4. burglary has an extremely low conviction rate. Typically less than 10% of offences result in convictions, with some surveys report conviction rates of less that 2% (Felson 1994:9).
5. Burglary will continue to plague Australians until politicians and policy makers adopt a radical and diverse package of strategies, many of which will not be specifically targeted at preventing burglary

I did a Google search

And found a number of articles. I read them. But then used Google Gemini AI to summarize them for me.

Produce dot points on this: https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10072/43650/8394_1.pdf;sequence=1

1. This article discusses the extent, costs, and causes of burglary in Australia.
2. It also reviews successful and unsuccessful anti-burglary strategies.
3. Social trends, such as increasing consumer goods and residential mobility, are making burglary more common.
4. Burglary reduction requires a multifaceted approach.
5. Some successful strategies include property marking programs and security measures in commercial buildings.
6. Upstream strategies, like liberal methadone programs, also have promise.

List the unsuccessful strategies

The document lists several unsuccessful burglary deterrent strategies:

1. Special locks, grills, high fences Alarms
2. Security hardware upgrades

List the successful strategies

The document lists a number of successful strategies to reduce burglary including:

1. property marking schemes
2. sound security management strategies in commercial premises
3. insurance company sponsored home security programs.

Although traumatic, burglary needs to be considered in the context of all crime. For Australia, the financial cost has been estimated at approximately 6% of the estimated cost of crime compared, for example, to the estimated cost of fraud at between 15% and 18% (figures include criminal justice system costs) (Walker 1997:6).

Burglary, because it has greater psychological effects, as previously indicated, is perceived to be worse than scammers, most likely because scammers dont come in to your home

https://youtu.be/lrzXE5XttOE?si=tjWDe0D8Q0NlOwj4

“Abbas Cheema

Given the recent crime wave and this morning's alarming break in attempt, I have a suggestion. Wonder what you guys think about this ?

Would it be reasonable to carry out a local survey (Forestdale Neighbourhood Watch Inc. may have some records) of the properties that are targeted ?

The aim of the survey/research would be to get an idea about the property characteristics, to identify a common theme/s that may make them a target. This could be things like external features (e.g., vegetation/fences) and internal features (e.g., cars parked outside or stuff visible to prying eyes), security features, presence of dogs etc.

For example, I wonder how the absence or presence of a fence impacts the break-ins? Type/design of the fence? Height of the fence? Visible signs about security cameras/alarms and guard dogs - if they deter these low lifes?

I'm sure some people would criticise this and may even think this is a breach of privacy. But if there's something we can learn from this to make our properties safer, I think this may help ?”

Based on a Google search on: “scholarly articles on burglary in Brisbane Australia”

A detailed account of burglary offences in Brisbane 2018 Brisbane Western suburb of Karana Downs

The Prospectsfor Burglary Prevention in Australia published in 1998

Australian Institute of Criminology BURGLARY: A SOCIAL REALITY 1986

Based on a Google search on:“motivation for burglary”

"I had nothing to eat": new study provides insights into why young people burgle 2022