Crime targets affected by drop in goods prices

BBC: Crime targets affected by drop in goods prices

Criminals are looking for different items to steal because globalisation has brought prices of some household goods down, new research suggests.

Researchers at the University of Leicester say criminals are moving from traditional household burglaries to personal muggings.

Criminology lecturer James Treadwell said that a DVD player costing £19.99 was "simply not worth stealing".

The findings came as part of research into how crime has changed over time.

Mr Treadwell said globalisation – especially cheaper electronic goods from China and the Far East – was forcing thieves to re-think what items were worth taking.

He said: "The last decade has been a remarkable one where crime is concerned, with massive changes and shifts. …

… He added: "While we might have seen a decline in some types of crime, we have seen a rise in other forms of criminal activity, particularly young people who seem to be mugging one another," he added.

"While DVD players for example, got cheaper, certain consumer items became smaller and were very, very expensive and sought after and so the latest mobile phone, or the latest iPod, which people carry about them, have become targets for robbers. …