Citation

Carcach C. Trends Iss. Crime Crim. Justice 2001; 209.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Australian Institute of Criminology)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper, the third in a series devoted to the study of crime in regional Australia, explores the effect that interactions between size, location, economic transformation and social attributes have on local crime rates. Using data for Local Government Areas in the mainland eastern states, this study draws the following conclusions: crime rates are lower in localities that are both residentially and socially stable; factors such as low residential mobility, high average educational level, low income inequality and low unemployment are associated with low local crime rates, but operate differently depending on the population size of local areas and their geographic position relative to major service areas; and crime rates in small and medium sized towns that are near a major service centre are highly sensitive to changes in economic and social conditions. This suggests the possibility of crime being diffused from major urban centres to minor surrounding towns. The study reinforces the need for localised crime control and prevention initiatives.