Burglary Patterns: When and Why Thieves Return

Did you know that once a house is burgled, its likelihood of being hit again increases? The same goes for houses nearby. This phenomenon, known in the boost account theory, suggests the same thief might return to a previously successful target or one close by. Researchers focused on the Canadian city of Edmonton between 2007 and 2008 to check this theory. They found that burglaries that happened close together in time and space were common. Moreover, the chances of a nearby house (within 700 meters) being hit again rose significantly within a week. Interestingly, many of these repeat or near-repeat burglaries were committed by the same offender. This means that past success might play a huge role in where thieves strike next. The takeaway? Post-burglary, neighborhoods should be extra vigilant.