Evaluation of the Leeds Distraction Burglary Initiative

A Systematic Literature Review of Doorstep Crime: Are the Crime‐Prevention Strategies More Harmful than the Crime?

“…This article draws on a review of two UK evaluations of initiatives designed to reduce and prevent distraction burglary (see Steele et al . ; Lister, Wall and Bryan ; Collomb‐Robert et al . ).…”

“…The evidence suggests that victims of doorstep crime are predominantly elderly, female, and white (see Lister, Wall and Bryan ; Steele et al . ; Thornton et al .…”

“…). Moreover, in the vast majority of cases, victims of doorstep crime live alone (Lister, Wall and Bryan ). An examination of the database used in Operation Liberal (developed in 1998) indicated that the average age of doorstep crime victims was 81 years and three‐quarters were female (Home Office ).…”

“…The LDBI provided some specific practical advice about tackling doorstep crime (Lister, Wall and Bryan ), which they referred to as the ‘five principles to doorstep etiquette’. This included: always use the door chain when answering the door remembering to ‘stop‐chain‐check’; always check the credentials of unknown callers; never employ cold‐calling doorstep traders; and always keep front and back doors locked (Lister, Wall and Bryan , p.12). Again, we suggest that emphasis placed on locking front and back doors may alarm some older people since it may focus their attention upon the fear of victimisation.…”

“…A total of 17 grants enabled approximately 340 properties to be improved. Potential participants in the scheme were identified by cross‐referencing ‘old age’ with ‘poor garden condition’ (Lister, Wall and Bryan , p.23). Similar to more traditional security measures, this strategy may help reduce the risk of older people being targeted.…”