Table of Contents
An opening
Home invasion
Cocooning: A Crime Prevention Strategy
Rational Choice Theory, Criminal Behaviour
Criticisms about Rational Choice Theory
In conclusion,
This is an introduction.
The effectiveness of crime prevention strategies is a key area of criminological research. Cocooning refers to a domestic burglary strategy that involves officers going to homes where burglaries are taking place, and also visiting those nearby. It encourages and informs individuals to take more burglary precautions in order to avoid being victimized again or nearly. (Johnson, Davies, Murray, Ditta, Belur, & Bowers, 2017). Statistic and criminological analysis will be used to show the effectiveness of the strategy. These analyses will focus on cocooning, as well rational choice theory and its application to criminal behavior. The effectiveness of cocooning as a crime-prevention strategy is demonstrated by rational choice theory.
Residential Burglary. This is done by understanding the nature of residential burglary as well as the factors that can increase victimisation. When an individual unlawfully enters another person’s property in the purpose of committing criminal acts, residential burglary is committed. This is a criminal act that can be done unnoticed. The idea that expensive goods and homes with many entry points can make them attractive targets is supported by the fact that they are often left unattended for prolonged periods. It is possible to have severe financial and psychological consequences for victims of residential burglary. Despite improvements in crime prevention techniques and a general decline in burglary rate, there are still many circumstances that could increase the likelihood of victimization. The possibility of criminals using the overgrow of flora as cover may increase the chances of a felony happening. Also, doors and windows that are left unlocked pose a higher risk. These risks are similar to a higher chance of committing a crime and a lower likelihood of being caught. This knowledge is essential when attempting to link criminal behavior and crime prevention. It will ensure that crime prevention strategies are effective. The implementation of numerous crime prevention strategies has been made possible by observing patterns in residential burglaries. This can be seen with the introduction of cocooning as a preventative measure for subsequent offenses.
Cocooning is a Crime Prevention StrategyCocooning has been successful in reducing burglary rate in Western Australia. The West Australian police launched a small-scale program to prevent residential burglary in 2016. The pamphlets were distributed to the victims’ homes within 48 hours of the offence. Pamphlets included information about crime prevention, how to conduct a security audit at home, and contact information, including the police and Crime Stoppers. (Stokes et al., 2018). These pamphlets could be sent via mail or personally handed to police officers. This program is collectively called cocooning. As burglary is considered an opportunistic act, modifying targets and potential opportunities will inevitably decrease the risk of repeat-victimisation.
An analysis of 207 residential thefts revealed that victims living within 200 m of homes were at a higher risk of being victimized (Stokes (2018)). After applying cocooning strategies, the percentage dropped to 1.5%. It is therefore evident that the policing sub-district saw a significant decrease in the likelihood of an offence occurring in surrounding areas, as well as a decrease in the likelihood of repeat-victimisation. Based on the assumption that victimisation rates are 4.3 percent with no police intervention, 7 burglaries were prevented in this timeframe. Cocooning can be a costly and time-consuming police process, but the above statistics prove the value of the crime prevention strategy.
According to Australian Institute of Criminology, property owners have a variety of strategies that they can employ to lower the risk of victimization. These strategies include increasing surveillance of their property, making it appear occupied by installing sensors lights and alarm system, securing access points, increasing security, and helping burglary victims to upgrade their security. Operation Burglary Countdown in 2005 was created to reduce burglary rates in Morley and Bentley in Western Australia. Many interventions were implemented as part of the operation. A large percentage of these interventions had proven effective in decreasing burglary. It is important to remember that cocooning was not an operation directly related to this crime prevention strategy. These implementations all worked well together to lower burglary rates.
Media campaigns and home security tips were used to provide information about crime prevention to those who live near residential burglary spots. The intention was to make it harder for criminals to get and remove targets by using cocooning. Australian Institute of Criminology. 2017. Ensures that residents are safe and hard to access. This makes it more difficult to commit a crime and encourages people not to do so. Residents are encouraged to install alarm systems and home security cameras in order to improve their property surveillance. The Australian Institute of Criminology provided statistics that showed burglary rates dropped by 45 percent and 24% in Bentley after police intervention. It was discovered that burglary rates among residents who have been victims of theft increased by 49 percent for Bentley and 58per cent for Morley. Residents were also satisfied with the fact that both suburban and state governments had taken sufficient measures to reduce burglary rates.
Analysis of these statistics provides evidence that cocooning measures implemented by the Western Australian Government have effectively lowered burglary rates and the risk of repeat-victimisation. Cocooning as an effective crime prevention strategy is designed to satisfy residents and prevent victimization. It also allows for simple ways to prevent criminal activity.
Rational Choice Theory, Criminal Behaviour. Rational Choice Theory presumes that individuals act in a certain way to maximize their profits or minimize losses. This theory makes criminal motivation seem like a calculation to balance the benefits and costs of an offence. It predicts that humans will maximise the expected benefit of choices when making decisions. Many external influences can also influence rational choice theory. These external influences, both socially and psychologically, can lead to criminality. Despite how these external factors influence an individual’s choices, there is no crime without purpose. The offender will ultimately reap the benefit of these choices. According to some, offenders are generally consistent in their preferences and self-regard.
Rational choice theory can help us understand criminal behavior and correlate it with residential burglary. Social scientists, psychologists, and criminologists use rational choice theory as a way to understand human behavior. One of the key assumptions behind repressive criminal control, which is fundamental to rational decision theory, is that harsher penalties can cause burglars not to commit other crimes.
Residential burglary is an example of this. An offender will spend more time searching for a target house, even though the reward may be less. A cocooning strategy makes it less likely that an offender targets the same residence. A burglary alarm is another example. The rational choice theorem has shown that cocooning can prevent burglary. Alarms can increase apprehension and deter potential burglars by determining whether the benefits of obtaining valuable goods outweigh the risk of being caught. This is a rational action, as the offender’s beliefs were the critical means to determine personal desires.
Criticisms about Rational Choice Theory It cannot be applied to all situations using rational choice theory because it assumes an individual’s actions to be instrumental. (Boudon, 1998). One of the major flaws in rational choice theory lies in its failure to explain the motivations for offenders. An individual can be convicted of an offence if they get the maximum benefits and the least loss. However, this assumes that criminal motivation is influenced by pleasure and thrill. This would make it more difficult for people who like to be in dangerous situations. Another problem with rational choice theory is the failure to address structural aspects of decision-making. Social references are usually considered but are rarely linked with offence-patterns. Many people have also suggested that rational choice theory should not be used when discussing criminal activity, as it is often irrational. Despite critics, rational decision theory helps to understand criminal motivations and the criminal mind.
ConclusionIt’s clear that rational decision theory is a useful insight into crime prevention strategies cocooning criminal behaviour. This helps us understand the motivations behind criminal behavior and allows us to reduce residential burglary rates in Australia. Both the West Australian Police and Western Australian Government have conducted studies that showed cocooning strategies worked and were successful. Technology will make it possible to implement these strategies more efficiently and faster, which is why we are optimistic about the future.
