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Masters Degrees (Criminology and Forensic Studies)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10413/7767

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Criminology and Forensic Studies) by Subject "Burglary."

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    An assessment of weather patterns on property-related crimes in Newlands East policing area, Durban.
    (2018) Mbonambi, Nokukhanya Neptune.; Dlamini, Siyanda.
    It is in the best interest of community members, as well as policy makers to comprehend the factors that influence crime while not solely focusing on the effectiveness of the available strategies. This study aimed at exploring the South African Police Services (SAPS) perceptions on weather patterns as a contributory factor to residential burglary in the Newlands East Policing Area of Durban. The motivation behind this study was based in safety within the selected community, mainly focusing on burglary at residential burglary premises because this crime has seen the highest reported property-related crime in the area for the past five years (2012-2016). It was also underpinned by the National Developmental Plan (NDP) of attempting to build safer communities by 2030. In ensuring that the aim of this study was achieved, a qualitative research designed was used, which assisted the researcher to focus on the exploration of weather patterns on burglary in a residential setting. Data collection for this study was based on semi-structured interviews conducted on an individual basis with selected participants. It combined a set of pre-determined questions that enabled the interviewer to explore further particular themes and responses. The findings of this study revealed that residential burglary increase and decrease in relation to different weather conditions within the location of this study. Overall, it can be concluded that weather patterns are indeed a contributory factor to residential burglary. It also suggested that police officials have developed strategies against weather patterns on residential burglary. However, the challenge lies in the communities’ co-operation in fighting this kind of crime.
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    An exploration of communal responses to burglary at residential premises in the Cato Crest informal settlement of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province.
    (2019) Mpofu, Zandile Faith.; Singh, Shanta Balgobind.; Murhula, Bashizi Bashige.
    Violence and crime in countries such as South Africa are shaped by deep socio-economic inequalities; however, the spatial designs of urban areas and housing also play a role, but often in differing ways. There is little qualitative research published on communal responses to burglary in informal settlements where the hyper-permeability of housing structures directly shapes residents’ experiences of crime. This dissertation reflects on the wider literature on the consequences and experiences community members have on residential burglary. The dissertation examines the nature, effects, responses and programmes to curb burglary in the informal settlement area of Cato Crest, Durban. It asserts that the informal settlement have serious adverse effects on the people’s housing quality and their built environment. The secondary data was obtained from books, journals and seminar papers Data were obtained through semi-structured one-on-one interviews with the community members of Cato Crest informal settlement. The study provides a range of new insights into the problem of burglary and confirms some of the findings from research previously conducted elsewhere. The analysis of the area reveals that both the burglary rate and the proportion of repeat burglaries are much higher in the public housing areas. The high burglary rate in this area is partly attributable to the large number of burglaries of vacant public housing dwellings, usually involving the theft of household items such as mobile phones, stoves and television sets. Various research and policy implications emerge from the study, such as: the need to address police data quality issues; the need for the police or the nearby clinics to employ psychologists that will be readily available for the victims who experienced burglaries and cannot cope; the need for greater clarification in defining what is meant by repeat burglary victimisation; the need to provide programs for the community to curb burglary; the need for greater cooperation between the police and the community members to curb such crimes as burglary. Therefore, government is encouraged to see informal settlements as a solution to new city planning rather than a problem to the urban areas. This research study suggests the implementation of policies and planning, physical infrastructural development, social economic improvement, environment and health improvement. Government, the private sector and communities’ interventions on informal settlements are required in order to prevent burglaries by making sure the perpetrators are punished and the victims are taken care of.