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Motor Vehicle Theft at the Shopping Centre: An Application of the Routine Activities Approach

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Abstract

Using a national survey of self-reported shopping centre crime, this study examines how one of the most commonly reported shopping centre offences, namely, motor vehicle theft, is associated with the three critical elements of the ‘routine activities’ approach to crime distribution. As expected, the presence of motivated offenders and the absence of capable guardians both have a significant effect on the rates of auto theft occurring at 265 major US shopping centres and malls. However, contrary to the model, the availability of suitable targets does not predict auto theft in the regression equation. Theoretical discussion considers several possible explanations for this partial support for the routine activities model.

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Hollinger, R., Dabney, D. Motor Vehicle Theft at the Shopping Centre: An Application of the Routine Activities Approach. Secur J 12, 63–78 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.sj.8340012

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.sj.8340012

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