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Do Remote Workers Deter Neighborhood Crime? Evidence from the Rise of Working from Home

Author

Listed:
  • Jesse Matheson

    (Department of Economics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DT, UK)

  • Brendon McConnell

    (University of Southampton, UK)

  • James Rockey

    (University of Birmingham, UK)

  • Argyris Sakalis

    (Department of Economics, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 4DT, UK)

Abstract

We examine the impact of the working from home (WFH) shift on neighborhood-level burglary rates, employing detailed street-level crime data and a neighborhood WFH measure. We find a one standard deviation increase in WFH (9.5pp) leads to a persistent 4% drop in burglaries. A spatial search model identifies two deterrence channels: occupancy, as burglars avoid occupied houses, and “eyes on the street”. We provide evidence supporting both channels. Despite crime displacement to low WFH areas offseting 30% of the burglary reduction, a hedonic pricing model reveals significant willingness to pay for high WFH areas, especially those with high ex-ante burglary risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Jesse Matheson & Brendon McConnell & James Rockey & Argyris Sakalis, 2023. "Do Remote Workers Deter Neighborhood Crime? Evidence from the Rise of Working from Home," Working Papers 2023020, The University of Sheffield, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:shf:wpaper:2023020
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    File URL: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/economics/research/serps
    File Function: First version, August 18 2023
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicola Fontana, 2025. "Who is my neighbour? Short-term renting and civic engagement in London," Trinity Economics Papers tep0525, Trinity College Dublin, Department of Economics.

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    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • R20 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - General

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