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Theft and vandalism at residential building sites in Australia

Technical and background paper no. 29

Yuka Sakurai, Pat Mayhew and Mark White
ISBN 0 642 53883 2 ISSN 1445-7261
Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology,April 2008

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Abstract

The building industry has demonstrated steady growth over the past 10 years. However, residential building sites are increasingly becoming targets of theft and vandalism. The victims of these crimes incur considerable costs and delays to the detriment of their businesses. The adverse effects include the cost of hiring or replacing stolen items, insurance excess payments and the added expense of improving security to protect against further damage. This study provides information about the extent and nature of theft and vandalism taking place at residential building sites throughout Australia. Both the experiences and perceptions of builders are examined. The findings from the study will serve as a useful guide for practitioners, facilitating the development of effective crime prevention measures.