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Crime in the era of COVID‐19: Evidence from England

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  • Kyriakos C. Neanidis
  • Maria P. Rana

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of COVID‐19‐induced lockdowns on recorded crime in England. The enforcement of lockdowns at both the national and local levels allows unveiling the impact on criminal activities by type of shutdown policy. Using official crime data across the universe of local authorities, we find that unlike local lockdowns national lockdowns significantly change the shape of recorded criminal activity, with the first nationally‐imposed lockdown having the strongest impact. Findings also reveal that police operations play a prominent role in explaining changes in reported crimes. Back‐of‐the‐envelope calculations suggest that lockdowns reduced the economic costs of crime by £4.2 billion.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyriakos C. Neanidis & Maria P. Rana, 2023. "Crime in the era of COVID‐19: Evidence from England," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(5), pages 1100-1130, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jregsc:v:63:y:2023:i:5:p:1100-1130
    DOI: 10.1111/jors.12656
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    2. Shubhangi Agrawal & Tom Kirchmaier & Carmen Villa-Llera, 2022. "Covid-19 and local crime rates in England and Wales - two years into the pandemic," CEP Covid-19 Analyses cepcovid-19-027, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    3. Eric Halford, 2022. "An Exploration of the Impact of COVID-19 on Police Demand, Capacity and Capability," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-24, July.
    4. Mouratidis, Kostas, 2021. "How COVID-19 reshaped quality of life in cities: A synthesis and implications for urban planning," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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