2.4. The nature of burglary at residential premises
2.4.3 Probable motivations and suitable items targeted
Housebreakers much frequently specify that the desire for cash as well as drugs are primary motivators for choosing criminality (David, 2003). Weisel (2002) records that some specifically youthful
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housebreakers are driven by excitement. The author adds that a slight percentage might be driven by a longing to pursue revenge against an ex-girlfriend or previous employer. A lot of burglaries at residential premises are perpetrated to fund drug use. In the USA, use of heroin is particularly common amongst housebreak criminals; however, marijuana as well as heroin users seem to approach residential burglary more carefully as compared to cocaine abusers, who appear mostly unmindful of the danger of apprehension (Weisel, 2002). Both USA and British investigations specify that the mostly sought items are usually money and jewellery. In the USA, electrical equipment (televisions, sound system, and laptops, among others) and fire arms are targeted (Budd, 1999; Weisel, 2002).
Money and jewellery are, unquestionably, easiest to take away even when one is walking on foot.
These housebreakers dispose their earnings through pawnshops, taxi drivers, small store owners, as well as on the street in exchange for either drugs or cash. They generally obtain little in terms of reward (Weisel, 2002).
The above findings are in harmony with the findings of the SAPS, in which they indicate that in some of South Africa’s provinces for instance Limpopo, the Northern Cape (NC) and North West, drug abuse is acknowledged as a driver of burglary at residential premises. Drug addicts perpetrate residential burglaries and trade the stolen material goods with the intention to purchase drugs such as Nyaope. Furthermore, investigations conducted in several of provinces in South Africa discovered that the favoured items stolen during burglaries at residential premises were television sets, clothing or linen, computer equipment, mobile phones and accessories, tools, small electrical appliances (i.e.
toasters, microwave ovens), jewellery as well as money, among others. The enormous amount of second-hand merchandise traders generates chances for offenders to perpetrate property-related criminalities and be certain of a marketplace to trade their assets.
In addition to the mentioned above, VOCS highlights that it is imperative to be acknowledgeable about the house-hold possessions that housebreakers go all-out for throughout burglary at residential premises. In their 2015–2016 analysis, interviewers were questioned about the list of items that were stolen during a residential burglary. It was discovered that it was mostly electrical appliances that were frequently targeted. Other staff like jewellery, cash as well as mobile phones were the utmost frequent possessions taken after electrical appliances. The explanation that the authors provided for this is that individuals generally carry their cash and mobile phones along with them, and at the time of the occurrence of residential burglary and there is no interaction amongst the housebreakers and the victims.
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The above is consistent with 2011 findings of the VOCS, which depicts that electrical appliances for instance laptops, computers as well as television sets were housebreakers favoured merchandises. The VOCS (2012) discovers that 58. 6 per cent of households who were victims of residential burglary had lost electrical appliances in the occurrence. Personal belongings (watches, jewellery, etc.) were stolen in 30. 4 per cent of residential burglary occurrences, followed by money (23. 3 per cent). Possessions like handbags/wallets (10. 9 per cent) and travelling bags (8. 2 per cent) were the least probable to be taken during residential burglaries. These discoveries confirm Fitzgerald and Poynton (2011) that housebreakers are concerned with possessions, which are of great worth or else can be effortlessly disposed of. Cash was prevalent in residential burglaries because not like other possessions, it does not require to be re-sold.
Furthermore, Professor Rudolph Zinn, senior lecturer in Forensic and Crime investigation at the University of South Africa mentions in his book that was launched on the 19th of May 2010 titled
“Home Invasion. Robbers disclose what you should know.” that 97 per cent of criminals in his research indicated that the main motivational factors for getting drawn into this crime is for “economic gain”
(Zinn, 2010b). Out of that 65 per cent of things that are taken were spent on “cars, clothes, drugs, and alcohol.” In addition, 35 per cent was spent on “survival” (e.g. food items rentals). Furthermore, their victims were selected for their riches. The perpetrators mentioned that another contributing factor was the presence of individuals who they could look up to in the community, who were offenders and gained wealth due to lawbreaking. These role-models are famous and are usually respected in the community. Whereas, 80 per cent indicated that their family members, buddies as well as acquaintances in the community were aware that they engage in criminal activities to make a living.
This point to a great tolerance for crime in the community which they come from.
It is evident from the argument made Supra that the primary motivation of housebreakers relates to the need for cash, either as a means of subsistence, or to buy alcohol and drugs. This shows that there is need for a joint effort between the police and community in terms of reporting people suspected of selling stolen goods. Furthermore, in checking if local pawn shops are selling those goods.
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