The Role of Security Devices Against Burglaries: Findings from the French Victimisation Survey

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the efficiency of security devices against burglary. We analyse burglary as a three-step sequence – targeting, forced entry, theft – rather than a homogeneous victimisation. Different factors related to the dwelling, the household or the environment have aggravating or protecting effects on the risk of burglary. Security devices are efficient in protecting the housing unit against such crime though their effects are more or less important depending on the stage in the process. Results suggest that environmental factors are more important in the choice of the target (targeting stage). Security devices are more efficient during the forced entry compared to the targeting stage. Alarms and security doors appear to be more efficient against forced entry into either houses or apartments and especially if they are combined with other devices. Conversely, environmental factors have a smaller impact on forced entry. During the final stage, the presence of someone in the housing unit reduces the risk of theft. Alarms in houses and security doors in apartments also have a protecting effect on theft.