Offence location and offender locale : community vs travelled offenders : an analysis of the spatial distribution of crime

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between an offence location and the offenders locale: and to explore the influence of the type of offence and the offender's psycho-social characteristics.The method used a multi-variate 3-year cohort of 1771 men and women drawn from a Southern County Probation Service. The database contained details relevant to the offender's personal and criminal behaviour. From an analysis of the case records a profile of the 'community based offender' and the 'travelling offender' was developed.The results demonstrated that there was an association between locale and location, with 77% of the sampling offending within and against their own community, but with no significant differences across the genders. A small random group of offenders were interviewed and over 85% were found to be both offender and a victim of a crime.The 'travelling offender' tended to be the burglar, some violent offenders and extra familiar sex offenders. There was no relationship between distance and offence gravity: an unexpected finding.A 'far' travelling group was identified, but did not significantly differ from the 'near' traveller. There was limited movement of offenders between the urban and rural, with both offending within their own community. The relationship between location/locale showed how the movement of offenders can influence the importation, exportation and retention of crime in any given postcode area and influence community 'harm'.The evidence showed that (77%) of offenders do not travel to commit crime, which has relevance for community policing and community support and community solidarity. From the data an instrument was developed, to identify and predict which type of offender was likely to be a traveller and what would be the potential offence.