Burglary
Distraction burglary amongst older adults and minority ethnic communities
This document is published for archival/historical purposes. It will not be updated.
Distraction Burglary (also known as bogus callers and artifice burglary) has been the subject of relatively few formal studies. This report attempts to investigate crime and victim profiles and establish patterns that might be used in future work.
Title: Distraction burglary amongst older adults and minority ethnic communities
Authors: Amanda Thornton, David Walker and Rosie Erol
Series: Home Office Research Study, Home Office Findings
Number of pages: 100 (Research Study), 4 (Findings)
Date published: June 2003
The "Distraction burglary amongst older adults and minority ethnic communities" report was produced from two research studies commissioned by the Home Office Distraction Burglary Task Force as part of its action plan to tackle this relatively little understood type of crime. It looks at factors associated with victims and non-victims (individuals and groups) and the effects on victims. The main points emerging from the study are as follows:
Two differing victim profiles: victims who admitted the burglar, and those where the burglar entered uninvited.
Risk factors leading to targeting included neglected gardens and houses, surrounding houses neglected and front door not visible to neighbours.
Risk factors for potential older victims included problems with mobility and daily life, few regular visitors and few doorstep checking routines.
Victimisation was lower among minority ethnic communities. Suggested reasons include higher occupancy levels at high risk times, and a greater awareness of doorstep checking procedures.
Recommendations cover the following issues:
Raising awareness of self-protection, such as through campaigns designed for specific community groups
Reducing vulnerability risk factors, e.g. minimising signs of neglect;
Reducing the impact of the crime, which although was not great for most victims, did have a serious effect on a small number.
Download "Older victims of burglary and distraction burglary – recommendations for practitioners" 
PDF" Findings (4 pages)
Download "Distraction burglary amongst older adults and ethnic minority communities" PDF Research Study (100 pages)
Also published at the same time were "Experiences of burgled older people" and "Older victims of burglary and distraction burglary – recommendations for practitioners"
Last update: Wednesday, August 27, 2008