Abstract
This article reports the findings of a study that used, as a starting point, two well-established findings. First, that a small proportion of offenders is responsible for a very large proportion of offences and, second, that a small proportion of victims suffers a large proportion of offences. What is the link between these two facts? What role do prolific offenders play in the repeated victimisation of individuals and locations? The study also analysed factors, relating to the offending ‘career’ of a criminal, that might impact upon repeat offending. It went on to examine the transition of offending from one offence to the next by individuals and whether repeat offenders were ‘specialists' or ‘generalists’. The study concluded with a discussion on ways in which the findings might be utilised in crime prevention/reduction efforts.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.