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Crime highways: The effect of motorway expansion on burglary rates

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  • Kerri Agnew

Abstract

Burglars can exploit a high‐quality road network to transport stolen goods quickly. To study the effect of motorway connections on burglary rates, spatial variation in connectivity to the motorway network and the timing of new connections are exploited using an annual panel of 562 policing Sub Districts in Ireland during 2004–2015. On average, burglary rates rise by 10% in the year of motorway connection. This paper shows for the first time that major road construction affects the spatial distribution of crime.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerri Agnew, 2020. "Crime highways: The effect of motorway expansion on burglary rates," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(5), pages 995-1024, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jregsc:v:60:y:2020:i:5:p:995-1024
    DOI: 10.1111/jors.12491
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    1. Gonzalez, Felipe & Miquel-Florensa, Josepa & Prem, Mounu & Straub, Stéphane, 2022. "The Dark Side of Infrastructure: Roads, Repression, and Land in Authoritarian Paraguay," SocArXiv zetmq, Center for Open Science.

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