Abstract
House burglary is a prevailing issue in Nigeria owing to the inefficiency of formal security institutions in dealing with incidences of urban household burglary. This study examines households and neighbourhoods’ responses to household burglary in Ibadan, Nigeria. In-depth interviews and household questionnaires were the primary data collection tools. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted while a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 299 respondents. Analysis of Variance confirmed the research hypothesis which suggested that burglary crimes committed differ significantly among residential neighbourhoods (F=3.012). Burglary occurred mostly in houses that were accessed through footpaths. Furthermore, females reported witnessing burglaries more than males. Neighbourhood responses to burglary include the use of gates, private security outfits and local vigilante groups. Individual households relied on burglary proof windows and door; broken bottles and wire fencing for protection. The intensity of crime in suburban areas impacts residential relocation and property values. Neighbourhood planning and good housing design remain other means through which easy accessibility by burglars can be prevented.
Highlights
The development trends of large urban regions have destructive consequences for societal stability
There are numerous negative effects of unplanned urbanisation that are beyond the city enclave as dwellers in rural areas are experiencing its manifestationhousehold burglary
The era of continuous investment of security apparatus must look towards adapting security apparatus that aligns with the spatial arrangement of rural areas too
Summary
The development trends of large urban regions have destructive consequences for societal stability. The resultant effects of urbanisation, poverty and unemployment in developing countries are unsafe neighbourhoods and increased crime rates (Wrigley-Asante, 2016) These issues of inequality pose a significant threat to livelihood and residential property. Burglary crime, which is defined as the breaking into another person’s home with the aim of stealing a particular asset at any time (Hale, 1990 cited in Anderson, 2011; Randa, 2015), is a common phenomenon in Journal of African Real Estate Research Volume 3(2) 2018 urban areas It remains one aspect of social crime which is ubiquitous in every neighbourhood globally and one which needs serious attention (Grabosky, 1995). Studies by Weisheit and Donnermeyer (2000), Lee (2006), National Centre for Victims of Crime (2015) and Ricciardelli (2018) state that household burglary is a prevailing issue within rural settings across the globe
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