Domestic migration, home rentals, and crime rates in China

Abstract

Although it is commonly believed that immigration leads to a high crime rate, this relationship is far from conclusive. This paper contributes to this line of research by exploring the case of China, a country undergoing rapid and profound urbanization. We collected and analyzed the arrest and prosecution data from the procuratorates of 306 prefectures in China, combined with interviews with nine policemen and public procurators from five provinces. We found that domestic migration in different cities is significantly related to the prosecution rate, while home rentals provide a better predictor of the arrest rate. These findings imply that migration may introduce crime, but may partly through the rental-housing factor. Compared with prosecution cases that are broader in scope, arrest cases indicate graver crimes in China. This suggests that the rental factor may play an important role in the emergence and prevention of crime. The findings call for reflection on urbanization and its unintended consequences. Housing policies should not be considered merely in their economic sense; it should not be neglected as important social policy leverage in crime prevention and social inclusion.

Is poverty the mother of crime? Evidence from homicide rates in China

“…However, little is known for the effect of a country's internal migration on local crime rates. As an exception, Cheng, Liu, and Wang [62] combine the arrest and prosecution data from 306 prefectures in China with interviews with nine policemen and public procurators from five provinces to show that the ratio of migrants (in the total population) contributes more to the prosecution rate whereas the ratio of home rental over homeownership impacts more on the arrest rate. Thus the implication is that internal migration introduces crime and part of it is carried through the rental-housing channel.…”

A Context-Aware Mobile-Based System for Crime Prevention and Emergencies

“…Social problems in society, such as poverty [13] and high population density [14], become critical factors that affect the increase of criminal rate, especially in large cities. Criminal issues are directly linked to public safety and social stability, and how to tackle the crime is foundation of effective state [15]. Therefore urban safety is a core element of urban sustainability to create a secure society.…”

In the Name of Prevention? Policing ‘Social Dangerousness’ Through Arrest in China

“…For instance, police in some urban sectors are inclined to discern ‘the Hukou status’ as an essential determinant of future risks (Yang, 2018). 8 In comparison to local residents, rural migrants suspected of committing the same crime are more prone to arrest due to their high ‘probability’ of re-offending (Cheng et al, 2017). Simultaneously, there are other random and localized considerations underlie the police decision to arrest at the practical level.…”