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Smarte Täter, naive Opfer? Eine Studie zur Typisierung der Opfer von Diebstahl und Wohnungseinbruch

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  • Horst Entorf
  • Johannes Rieckmann

Abstract

Based on data of individuals participating in a comprehensive crime victimisation study, we examine the reasons of becoming a victim of property offences. The interpretation of the econometric findings is based upon the assumption that offences result from the interaction of victims and perpetrators. For instance, given rational criminal behaviour, in absence of effective preventive measures (e. g., due to naïve victims) we would expect that victimization rates are relatively high among people with higher income, education and activity levels. Empirical results show that victimisation is indeed linked to higher education. Similarly, younger persons become more often victims than older persons, which seems to be in line with the picture of rational thieves and burglars who try their luck with the mobile and active (and thus more vulnerable) groups of the population. Not in line with this hypothesis, however, is our observation that the unemployed bear a higher risk of becoming a victim of burglary. Auf der Grundlage der Individualdaten einer umfassenden Viktimisierungsstudie untersuchen wir Gründe dafür, dass Menschen Opfer von Eigentumsdelikten werden. Die Interpretation der ökonometrischen Ergebnisse erfolgt unter der Prämisse, dass realisierte Straftaten durch Interaktion von Opfern und Tätern zustande kommen. So mutmaßen wir, dass zum Beispiel in Abwesenheit effektiver Präventivmaßnahmen (beziehungsweise bei naiven Opfern) einerseits und bei Vorhandensein rationaler Krimineller andererseits die Opfer eher unter Bürgern mit höherem Einkommen, höherer Bildung und größerem Aktivitätsgrad zu finden sein würden. Die empirischen Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Opferwerdung tatsächlich mit höherer Bildung verbunden ist. Auch jüngere Personen sind häufiger Opfer als ältere, was im Einklang mit dem skizzierten Bild des rationalen Diebes und Einbrechers zu stehen scheint, der sein Glück verstärkt bei den mobilen und aktiven (und deshalb eher angreifbaren) Gruppen der Bevölkerung sucht. Nicht im Einklang mit dieser Hypothese steht hingegen unsere Beobachtung, dass Arbeitslose ein erhöhtes Einbruchsrisiko tragen.

Suggested Citation

  • Horst Entorf & Johannes Rieckmann, 2015. "Smarte Täter, naive Opfer? Eine Studie zur Typisierung der Opfer von Diebstahl und Wohnungseinbruch," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 84(2), pages 11-26.
  • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwvjh:84-2-2
    DOI: 10.3790/vjh.84.2.11
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Burglary; theft; victimisation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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