Problem
Theft
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Risk of theftProperty acquisition crimes
Larceny
Stealing
Pilferage
Theft of property
Nature:
Theft is the unjust taking of what belongs to another. There is a pervasive trend in modern criminal codes to consolidate most property acquisition offences, including stealing, larceny, embezzlement, cheating in buying and selling (such as obtaining property under false pretenses and falsifying of weights and measures), and receipt of stolen property under theft as a single offence, previously unknown as such under common law; robbery is often treated as an exception.
Incidence:
Neglecting national variations in the basis of statistical estimates, figures from Interpol indicate that in 1990 there were approximately 34,893,000 cases of theft reported from 91 countries worldwide, namely 1151.6 per 100,000 population; some 5,520,000 (namely 16%) were claimed to have been resolved. Of these 9,766,000 were cases of aggravated theft, namely 42.1 per 100,000 population. In the UK in 1994 it was estimated that over 50% of the land was owned by only 1% of the population, and over 75% by only 5% of the population.
Broader Problems:
RiskCorruptive crimesUnethical practices by property tenants Narrower Problems:
PiracyLootingPoachingBurglaryPetty theftShopliftingRam-raidingEmbezzlementPickpocketingBag snatchingTheft of dataTheft of cableStatue thievesTheft of plantsWork-place theftTheft of servicesTheft of vehiclesTheft of identityTheft of documentsTheft of works of artTheft of internal organsTheft of public propertyReceiving stolen propertyTheft of computer equipmentObtaining property by false pretencesTheft of nongovernmental organization assets during complex emergencies Related Problems:
RobberyExpropriationIndustrial espionageCriminal harm to propertyArchaeological and anthropological looting Aggravates:
Loss of propertyCargo insecurityUnretrievable documentsPeddling of stolen goodsUnethical documentation practicesVulnerable nuclear weapons arsenalsVulnerable disease research establishments Strategies:
PilferingRisking theftReducing risk of theftStealingResearching property acquisition crimes Organizations:
International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI)International Aviation Theft Bureau (IATB) References:
Shukla, K S: Adolescent Thieves: a study in socio-cultural dynamicsInternational Council of Shopping Centers: Store Security: how to reduce thefts and avoid legal problemsWalsh, Marilyn E: The Fence: a new look at the world of property theft Subject(s):
Commerce → PropertyCommerce → Purchasing, supplying
Societal Problems → Crime
Societal Problems → Hazards
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
22.07.2021 – 19:48 CEST