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Hot Products: VIVA and CRAVED
The acronyms VIVA and CRAVED have been used to describe the characteristics of items most likely to be stolen - 'hot products'. CRAVED is the most recent development, addressing targets of theft specifically.
VIVA
Value. The offender must either value the target for what they gain or value the effect they have on it. For example, a burglary might occur because the burglar wants the stolen items or wants the money made from selling them. On the other hand, an offender might damage a bus stop, because they get or satisfaction from causing the damage. The satisfaction of causing the damage is what is of value to the offender.
Inertia. The size or weight of an item can effect how suitable it is. For example, items such as CDs and watches are suitable targets for shoplifters because they are small and portable.
Visibility. How visible a target is can affect its suitability. For example, items left in view of a window or someone counting money near a cash point machine are visible targets.
Access. If a target is easy to get to, this increases its suitability. So, goods displayed outside shops, or someone walking through a deserted street alone at night are accessible.
VIVA summarises the attributes of the broader class of targets of predatory crime and was set out in 1979 by Marcus Felson.
CRAVED
Since VIVA was introduced, there has been much more research on the subject of "hot products" and modifications have been made to address the targets of theft specifically. These have resulted in the model of theft targets "CRAVED", identifying six important properties.
These products are generally:
Concealable
Removable
Available
Valuable
Enjoyable
Disposable.
For more information on CRAVED, read Hot Products: understanding, anticipating and reducing demand for stolen goods by RV Clarke, Police Research Series Paper 112 (1999).
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/prgpdfs/fprs112.pdf
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