Introduction to the Economics of Crime

Abstract

Throughout the world crime is on the increase. Of course, international comparisons of crime are fraught with difficulties, because of differences in definitions and measurement of what is regarded as criminal. We need to examine each country separately. However, when that is done it is clear that in every country for which we have reliable information, the number of recorded crimes has grown dramatically over the period since the end of the Second World War. What is more, the rate of growth of crime seems to be increasing. A few examples will suffice to illustrate this phenomenon.

They don’t understand, for example, why thieves will spend so much time and energy devising and executing a crime (with all its attendant risks) when that same amount of time and energy devoted to a legal pursuit would probably net larger returns in the long run. It was the belief of every detective on the 87th Squad that the real motive behind half the crimes being committed in the city was enjoyment, plain and simple — the fun of playing Cops and Robbers. Forget gain or profit as motivation, forget passion, forget hostility or rebellion, it all came down to Cops and Robbers.

(Ed McBain, Jigsaw, p. 149)