Crime Statistics Series Volume I Exploration of the extent and circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery 2010–2011 In-depth analysis of the Victims of Crime Survey data The South Africa I know, the home I understand Crime Statistics Series Volume I Exploration of the extent and circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery In-depth analysis of the Victims of Crime Survey data 2010–2011 Statistics South Africa Report No. 03-40-02 (2010–2011) Pali Lehohla Statistician-General Statistics South Africa ii Exploration of the extent and circumstances surrounding housebreaking and home robbery in South Africa based on the Victims of Crime Survey data (In-depth analysis of Victims of Crime data: 2010–2011) / Statistics South Africa Published by Statistics South Africa, Private Bag X44, Pretoria 0001 © Statistics South Africa, 2014 Users may apply or process this data, provided Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) is acknowledged as the original source of the data; that it is specified that the application and/or analysis is the result of the user's independent processing of the data; and that neither the basic data nor any reprocessed version or application thereof may be sold or offered for sale in any form whatsoever without prior permission from Stats SA. Stats SA Library Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP) Data Exploration of the extent and circumstances surrounding housebreaking and home robbery in South Africa based on the Victims of Crime Survey data (In-depth analysis of Victims of Crime data (2010–2011))/ Statistics South Africa. Pretoria: Statistics South Africa, 2014 Report No. 03-40-02 (2010–2011) 95 pp ISBN 978-0-621-41564-3 A complete set of Stats SA publications is available at Stats SA Library and the following libraries: National Library of South Africa, Pretoria Division National Library of South Africa, Cape Town Division Library of Parliament, Cape Town Bloemfontein Public Library Natal Society Library, Pietermaritzburg Johannesburg Public Library Eastern Cape Library Services, King William’s Town Central Regional Library, Polokwane Central Reference Library, Nelspruit Central Reference Collection, Kimberley Central Reference Library, Mmabatho This report is available on the Stats SA website: www.statssa.gov.za Copies are obtainable from: Printing and Distribution, Statistics South Africa Tel: (012) 310 8619 (012) 310 8093 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Crime Statistics Series Volume I Exploration of the extent and circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery, 2010-2011 Statistics South Africa iii Preface The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa recognises the importance of freedom and security of every individual within the country’s borders. As a result, safety and security remains a central theme of the Government’s strategies, such as the National Development Plan, which highlights safety as a core human right. It is evident that crime instils fear amongst households and it may hinder their ability to engage in their day-to- day activities. In order to fully understand the multi-faceted dynamics of crime and the extent that it affects the society, there is a need for empirical information that will facilitate evidence based decision making. As a statistical agency, Stats SA is not directly responsible for crime prevention, but it has a mandate to provide information on the nature of crime and victimisation in South Africa. Crime statistics are mainly produced through administrative data sources within the South African Police Service (SAPS), which are useful in quantifying crime, as well as identifying crime hotspots. However, this data does not always contain information necessary to measure the full extent of crime and relevant demographic and socio- economic indicators related to crime and victimisation. Survey data, from the perspective of the victims, has been used to complement existing administrative data. Despite the measures that exist to combat crime, it continues to be a challenge for the victims and those responsible for crime prevention. An estimated 730 000 households in South Africa experienced housebreaking/ burglary in 2011 and a further 200 000 households were victims of home robbery, making these crimes the most prevalent household crimes. Although these two crimes are also most feared by households, they remain largely unreported to the police, thus distorting the true magnitude of crime in the country. This report, the first in a series of thematic crime reports, examined the extent of housebreaking/burglary and home robbery in the country; circumstances around which these crimes occurred, including the time of day, mode of entry, property lost and identity of perpetrator. Consequences of the victimisation experience were also discussed detailing precautionary measures taken to protect the household following the victimisation experience, injury related to resisting robbery and the characteristics of households that are likely to experience victimisation. It is envisaged that the findings presented in this report will provide meaningful information that can assist in assessing the crime situation in South Africa and further aid in expanding the statistical information base in order to strengthen policy formulation. Mr. Pali Lehohla Statistician-General: Statistics South Africa Crime Statistics Series Volume I Exploration of the extent and circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery, 2010-2011 Statistics South Africa iv Content List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................................................. vii List of Maps ................................................................................................................................................................................. viii Glossary of abbreviations .............................................................................................................................................................. ix Concepts and definitions ................................................................................................................................................................ x 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 General overview of the safety and security sector ........................................................................................................ 1 1.1.1 Legislative framework ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 National Development Plan ............................................................................................................................................. 3 1.1.3 Medium Term Strategic Framework and Criminal Justice System ................................................................................... 4 1.2 Objectives ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Organisation and presentation of the report ................................................................................................................... 5 2. Methodology and limitations ........................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Methodology .................................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Data analysis .................................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Limitations of the study ................................................................................................................................................... 7 3. Findings ............................................................................................................................................................................ 9 3.1 Extent of housebreaking/burglary and home robbery .................................................................................................... 9 3.1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9 3.1.2 Incidence of victimisation ................................................................................................................................................ 9 3.1.3 Repeat housebreaking/burglary and home robbery victimisation ................................................................................ 15 3.1.4 Multiple victimisation for housebreaking/burglary and home robbery ........................................................................ 16 3.2 The circumstances surrounding housebreaking/burglary and home robbery ............................................................... 17 3.2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................