Burglary in the United Kingdom

Introduction

According to the current statistical data, the rates of crimes in the UK change with mixed success. Spreading over all four constituent parts of the Kingdom, burglaries are still in evidence. This is why significance of reduction of crimes (burglaries) should start, as I see it, from direct investigation of reasons and drawbacks in the society at the time. It comes out to be that burglars stay untraced after committing a crime. However, the essence of victims and witnesses is the key factors helping in successful investigation of a definite case. Noaks & Wincup (2004) admit that each case of burglary offensive should be treated through a qualitative research, for example, by means of semi-structured interviews with victims and witnesses. This is solely half the battle. However, the report is based on the observation of the overall problem applying to the qualitative approach.

I feel like responsible to detach the significance of the problem, for the issue of the national internal security and stable lawful actions of citizens are above all. In the event that such case as burglary takes place in different places throughout the United Kingdom, more emphasis should be made on the qualitative dataset to reach out justice in response. Thus, the main questions indicating the reported data are as follows:

• What are the reasons for burglary?
• What are the key variables to identify potential threats as of cases of burglary?
• How should a researcher (investigator) approach to such cases?
• Which way of attitudes is optimal in interviewing victims and witnesses?
• What preventive measures fit in reducing burglary particularly throughout the UK?
• How can elimination of burglary reflect on the overall state of societal life in the UK?

These and some other questions are vital for researching the problem in detail and according to the situation in the UK at present. Moreover, the holistic approach leans toward scoping previous and current studies on the topic in order to achieve valid information on the issue. Not to jeopardize credibility of the report in question, the selected studies are characterized by their academic and appropriate to the problem value.

Literature review

Contemporary reality of everyday life is under a threat of people’s personal security. Burglary is, unfortunately, a widely practiced by criminals. In most cases it is done due to several burglary rings which occupy particular areas in definite cities. This is why due to the research done by Noaks & Wincup (2004) burglary is fairly ranked to be the second after vandalism crime as referred to the data of volunteered (56%) and probed (26%) respondents. In this respect BBC News reported that the core of burglary rates is supposed to be in Nottingham with a level of 63% (BBC News, 2008). Moreover, the statistics based on tens of thousands studies on the problem of burglary indicates particular stable decrease of such happenings by 59% between 1995 and 2007 (BBC News, 2008). However, the criticism of the emphasized topic is that cases of burglary happen everywhere in the UK.

Studies reported by Ludwig & Cook (2003) evidence the hot burglary rate in the United Kingdom taking place in 1998. This previous study showed the upper and the lower bounds of adjusted rate falling into 45% and 36% respectively. With regard to this, the researchers criticize the fact that burglary is not included into the British Crime Survey (BCS) which aggravates investigations followed by open-ended narratives (Ludwig & Cook, 2003). Insofar, more and more cases of burglary make people be aware of such a risk. Thus, they own a gun and thereafter it can diminish the peaceful state of affairs in the society. As compared to the United States (the most armed nation), such actions lead directly to unsanctioned, spontaneous use of weapon in order to do harm to innocent people. It is evidenced on the example of adolescent violence and case of Columbine High and Virginia Tech. Turning back to burglary in the UK, the researchers pay more attention to the part of Great Britain covered by England and Wales.

The situation in these two countries of the United Kingdom provides several inferences. Tseloni et al. (2004) constitute the two major factors which provoke higher rates of burglary for residents in England and Wales, namely: 1) rented accommodation; 2) household affluence. In general practice, this is logical that burglary should better be observed through theories of routine activity and lifestyle. In this respect, surveying the lifestyle variables in different countries, it is necessary to estimate the difference in burglary rates. To date, this variable is common to appeal the most exciting questions of investigators and researchers as well. The survey showed a repeated character of burglaries in evidence in England and Wales pointing out 59% of household burglaries happened for the first while 19.7% admit burglaries happened twice in a definite household (Tseloni, et al., 2004).

Bennel & Jones (2005) have disclosed in their study the linking character of a burglary toward a behavioural analysis of a serial burglar. Thus, there is a point on accuracy in linking crime to a particular person due to nearness of a location where a crime happens to an offender as such. This prospect in evaluating the scope of commercial burglaries in the UK is attributed to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (Bennel & Jones, 2005). The work over realizing the place of burglaries in the UK should start, as for me, from analyzing potential modus operandi by burglars in the near connection to the object for commission of crime. The research by Bennel & Jones (2005) fits the overall discussion on burglary, for it indicates ostensive reliability of drawing up a threshold for finding out a particular burglar. Owing to such a method, “52.4% of linked burglaries and 93.2% of unlinked burglaries” can be outlined upon condition that a threshold is 0.7 km (Bennel & Jones, 2005, p. 26).

Social interaction and contact which are presumably correct while living in the society stimulate the growth of potentially aggravated situation in between law and crime. Thus, the statistical distribution of criminal activity within a definite territory is in focus. In turn socio-economic features and stratification within the society highlights the significance of changes by dramatic reinforcement of punishments for burglars. Ormerod, Mounfield, & Smith (2001) outline the applicability of non-linear modelling of the society to predict, detect and eliminate cases of burglaries. Mainly empirical and qualitative findings have been imposed into this study in order to approach the problem. Thus, I see the importance of modelling crime through non-linear evaluation as it fits BCS and qualitative sets of data taken due to relation of different variables relevant to a burglar, in particular.

Ormerod, Mounfield, & Smith (2001) apply to the attainments of statistical data as per each decade. The results showed the measures of social equilibrium related to different crimes and burglary, particularly. In response, the findings have stated the fact that doubling prison sentences is helpful to reduce the rates of burglaries at least by 10% (Ormerod, Mounfield, & Smith, 2001). All in all, it presupposes that increasing restrictions as followed by more severe punishments is traditionally helpful to stabilize the situation in the UK. However, such an approach does not fully improve the situation. The decrease of burglaries might lead toward the increase of property and violent crimes instead (Ormerod, Mounfield, & Smith, 2001). This assumption shifts main attention to the prospects of how it is possible to detect a burglar by means of qualitative research.

The thing is that burglary is a result of targeting someone’s property by means of being unseen or uncaught, as a result. Thus, evaluating the evolution of crime in the UK in the course of time, I feel responsible to support the qualitative research in communication with victims, as it makes the victimology easier in further implications. To say more, preliminary structured and semi-structured questionnaires are still helpful in shaping all features of burglary as directed to catch an offender. Turning back to the study reported by Bennel & Jones (2005), it is necessary to draw such interviews on the evidences witnessed within easy reach from the place where commission of crime has happened.

Noaks & Wincup (2004, p. 78), on the other hand, recommend following the interview strategies impacted by such factors as: “characteristics of the research population, the sensitivity of the topic, the location of the interview and timescales.” This is vital for understanding the conditions upon which burglary was possible to take place. It is no necessary hereby to focus solely on the scope of the stolen things, but on the attitudes of an offender which provoked to commit this crime (Ormerod, Mounfield, & Smith, 2001). A criminological research urges for linking a crime toward a criminal character and main motives in doing so. Thus, the research provided by Noaks & Wincup (2004) admits that undertaking focus groups, a researcher should take into consideration complex inter-relationships between all subjects referred to a crime. Thereupon, three main aspects should be valued, namely: an individual, assessment of crime-related risk, relation to the locality (Noaks & Wincup, 2004).

The aforementioned studies serve to be a good background for my personal evaluation of burglary. Moreover, it is a part of personal investigation in terms of the algorithm of the main actions. On the other hand, the interview attached to the report clarifies the overall idea of qualitative research as the most useful touching upon burglaries. Hence, in the light of what has already been done, I would rather claim for making more points on how one should make of the concept of burglary as opposed to the position of law.

Reviewing cases which took place explicitly in the UK, the report relies on the juxtaposition of criminal practice and reasonable tactics in it. In other words, it is typical that interviewees are unwilling to participate in negotiations. Thus, I follow Noaks & Wincup (2004) when they admit several stages of access while interviewing in order to achieve informed consent. This is why it is of great need that I pose making a constructive atmosphere of mutual trust based on the significance of the topic as the primordial in the report. Furthermore, reporting cases of burglaries helps in surveying victimization along with further placing such data in BCS dataset.

Methodology

The research is based on the materials gained out of the previous and current studies adjusted by contemporary public view through mass media. The methods used in the research do not contradict appropriate practice in pointing out the main and the secondary features. However, the main emphases are laid on the qualitative research as idea fix of the overall report. The data studied are interrelated as for the similar area (burglary) imposed throughout the United Kingdom. The sources used are credible and include evidences of thousands and tens of thousands respondents. This quantitative parameter serves as auxiliary to perceive and prove the validity of the research.

Thus, the main attention is paid to interviewing people. To make it plain for the participants, I tried to get through several stages of access to attain their consent. It was done through amplifying the seriousness and applicability of the case to secure the society afterwards. Gathering data, I took into account such parameters as: estimation of locality, figure of a victim, reasons to make burglary easy. While interviewing I employed a questionnaire specific to the case, i.e. composed primordially by myself. The advantages of the method are that it corresponds to the primary steps in investigation. However, it does not that budding to analyze concrete details emerging during investigation.

Analysis of data

The main intention coming in this report was to show personal participation in investigation of crime (burglary) related to real cases in life. Thus, the analysis of selected data encompasses the previous practice in the field of burglary investigation as applied to current situation in the cities of the UK. Thus, due to the initial approach laid on several conceptions of identifying the trustworthiness of statements done by victims and witnesses. The most sensitive moments while interviewing were marked. It helped to identify how the respondent (especially victim) addresses the problem. Moreover, it showed some advantages in approaching the case. What is more, the initial stage of data analysis was to consider basic information on demographic along with some implications of neutral topics (Noaks & Wincup, 2004).

According to the main argument that cases of burglary are better to resolve by dint of qualitative research, I have selected a set of specific activities to find out positive for the investigation results. It correlates toward ethical features in questioning respondents. It has been done to reshape the limitations in methodology to a degree. The objective reality of the case concerns the sensitivity of words told and sincerity of respondents’ reaction, on the other hand. The open-ended interview was analyzed also by the field notes, namely:

• date and time when crime was commissioned,
• evaluation of locality,
• where a victim was at the time,
• which kind of property was stolen,
• victim’s attitudes to the neighbourhood around,
• victim’s relation to victimization experience,
• attitude to policing,
• more personal features (characterization of pets living with victim in the house) (Noaks & Wincup, 2004)

More points in observing the case were taken to the emotional reaction of interviewees. I tried to implement the ongoing readiness to predict the results by looking at the emotional variable as of an interviewee. Every worth mentioning detail was marked in the report.

Conclusion

Thus, the research is extra significant in the field of burglary investigation as it provides connections between the previous and current studies, the pertinence of the topic in criminal practice through the UK and its connection to personal investigation. One should make of this report as a practical guide which indicates theoretical and practical notions helpful in current burglary investigation. The practice of qualitative research is highlighted in the research with further implications for practitioners. Now, the emotional aspect is taken into consideration as a hint in gaining more results through interviewing. Above all, the report attracts by promoting theoretical approaches which assisted in my speculations on the issue solely through data. The research is recommended to civil servants, criminologists, and practitioners, first of all, in the field of property crimes.

Report appendix

Interview

Presentation

To gain the most objective results, I carried out a preliminary designed model of interviewee. I tried to fix everything that was going on during the interview down into my notebook. Moreover, the speech was recorded so as I could return to it afterwards. I tried to associate every movement made and every word said with some images to work my memory. Thereafter, I tried to adjust gained data to what I knew through the credible studies on the topic.

Pros and Cons of Qualitative Method

The main characterization about the qualitative research is based on the focus groups. This idea is leading while ruminating on pros and cons of this type of research against the quantitative one. However, there several advantages of qualitative research which are stated as follows:

1. Easiness of conducting the study.
2. Allowance of planned flexibility (every new idea emerging during the research can be improvised easily and fixed in the field notes).
3. The variety of topics to be researched.
4. Interaction provided during interviews can evoke to deeper insights into the scope of features discussed.
5. In criminology it gives more guarantees on confidentiality of information gained throughout interview.
6. Recording information on tapes or other data medium, one can analyze interviews through and through (Silverman, 2009).

On the other hand, it is quite convenient to approach a definite topic for discussion by means of qualitative method. However, there are some limitations for using qualitative research, namely:

1. Trying to provide more results as aforementioned, one can fall into the “pit of fallacies” mixing this method with opposite quantitative.
2. Respondents’ feedbacks cannot cohere to the objective truth, as there are different clichés to answer definite questions.
3. Hardships in transition of focus group results just after the event.
4. There is a factor of biases due to interactions among people.
5. The samples of interviewing people are not enough to state the results instantly.
6. Surveys are not usually cost-effective (Silverman, 2009).

Summing up, one might take notice of the bilateral evaluation of the qualitative research on the whole. It is quite necessary to state that in general practice social features of participation in qualitative research gives quite “generalizable” results as concerned with all members (Silverman, 2009). This is why a considerable approach should be done to infer qualitative method as an appropriate method to gather and further analyze data after a set of interviews.

Ethical issues raised in the research

According to what Silverman (2009) writes in his book, I laid more emphasis on the gist of the ethnographic and ethical variables throughout the interview. In fact, it was significant to me that interviewees are objective in their claims. In this respect I tried to get absorbed into possible worries and fears of the woman who experienced shock after the case of burglary. The thing is that she was not so sad for some valuables stolen, but because her life was at stake.

Thus, the main approach done on the part of the interviewer was to understand risky character of the case. With mere intentions of sincerity, it was possible that the victim put trust eventually in confidentiality of information. Handling ethical issues in many points helps to be flexible during the provision of the interview. In my case it was that the victim could go aside in her explanation of what had happened. I let her do it in such a way, for it is clear that a holistic shock embraced her at that moment.

Being aware of how to behave in a gentle manner, I followed the sequence of questions to be answered by the woman. By contrast, I tried to put her at her ease each time she claimed about personal humiliation due to the case. The idea is that I knew how to engage with people under such aggravating circumstances. Ongoing estimation in which way it is applicable to ask questions was at hand. Thus, I had maintained a specific warm atmosphere underlining personal responsibility to take care of this case. This approach is definitely the way to cope with things of such kind. Obtaining ethical approval, I could hardly believe that the results would be so easy to observe afterwards. This is why found ethical issues to be of great value while conducting qualitative research. Insofar, it psychological implications and state of humane in an interviewer are seen to be the paramount in reaching out t the objectivity and validity of the survey. In addition, dealing with ethical issues during the process of interviewing showed new frontiers in gaining peoples’ attention on the case as well as getting creditworthiness.

Reference list

BBC News 2008, Burglary ‘hotspot’ list published, BBC News Online.

Bennel, C & Jones, NJ 2005, Between a ROC and a Hard Place: A Method for Linking Serial Burglaries by Modus Operandi, Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Profiling, Vol. 2, pp. 23-41.

Ludwig, J & Cook, PJ 2003, Evaluating gun policy: effects on crime and violence, Brookings Institution Press, Washington, D. C.

Noaks, L & Wincup, E 2004, Criminological research: understanding qualitative methods, SAGE, London.

Ormerod, P, Mounfield, C, & Smith, L 2001, February, Non-linear modelling of burglary and violent crime in the UK, Volterra Consulting Ltd., Web.

Silverman, D 2009, Doing Qualitative Research (3 ed.), SAGE Publications Ltd., London.

Tseloni, A, Wittebrood, K, Farrell, G, & Pease, K 2004, Burglary Victimization in England and Wales , the United States and the Netherlands, British Journal of Criminology , Vol. 44, pp. 66-91.