Motor vehicle theft: a comparative study
Loading...
Date
1999
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This investigation entails a study of motor vehicle theft and hijacking in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape for the period of 1 January till 31 December 1995. The present study is empirically founded and for this purpose an information schedule has been implemented to capture data from police case dossiers for statistical analysis and description. Data forthcoming from a previous Honours study in the Westem-Cape have also been incorporated for comparison purposes. The sample consists of 1331 cases of motor vehicle theft and hijacking in KwaZulu-Natal, while 372 cases in Western Cape were included in this investigation.
Key findings emanating from this investigation are as follows:
(1) White male victims in the age category 31-35 years were the most victimised through motor vehicle theft and hijacking in both Provinces.
(2) The profile of the average offender of motor vehicle theft and hijacking comprises an unemployed African male person between 21-40 years.
(3) The temporal frequency indicates that most people in KwaZulu-Natal were victimised during March, August and October, while October, September and May caused the most suffering for victims in the Western Cape. Thursdays and specifically early mornings in KwaZulu-Natal seems to be the most popular for motor vehicle theft and hijacking. In the Western Cape this tendency peaked in the early mornings of Fridays.
(4) Toyota followed by Mazda, Nissan / Datsun and Ford sedan vehicles were the most popular objects for motor thieves and hijackers.
The following recommendation have been made:
(1) Greater community involvement in the prevention of these types of crime has become inevitable. In this regard empowerment of local communities through Community Police Forums could play an important role. Such involvement could stimulate greater crime awareness among the community. Shared responsibility as far as the security of people and their property is concerned, could positively influence successful order maintenance.
(2) Security measures which including the installation of anti-theft devices should be prioritised by the public.
(3) Specialised Vehicle Theft Units should, in the light of the low percentage motor vehicle theft cases referred to courts, be more efficient - considering the availability of modern technology.
(4) Police involvement in crime syndicates should receive serious attention and, were applicable, be totally eliminated
(5) Progress without research is futile. Greater liaison between the police and tertiary institutions (Criminology departments and the Technikon SA) will do much to stimulate scientific research in the interest of successful policing.
Description
Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 1999.
Keywords
motor vehicle hijacking --South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal, motor vehicle theft --South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal