Understanding the Malefactors

Abstract

The defeat of security in order to undertake a spectacular robbery, burglary or fraud has been the subject of many fictional films, dramas and books. Probably the most famous of such movies of the last few years is the ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ (2001) series (Ocean’s Twelve’ (2004) and ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’ (2007) quickly followed the success of the first film) in which Danny Ocean puts together a team of villains, all with expert skills, to undertake spectacular heists. These are recent examples of a genre with a long history. Equally dramatic heists are the theme of ‘The Italian Job’ (1969; with a re-make in 2003), ‘Heist’ (2001) and ‘The Ladykillers’ (1955; re-made by the Coen brothers in 2004) to name only a few. Despite the substantial exploitation of such ventures in fiction, there has been relatively little academic research either on those who undertake such major crimes or on the perpetrators of more mundane criminal acts in real life. This chapter aims to gain a greater understanding of malefactors in some of the most common areas of criminal behaviour. It will attempt to assess their decision-making strategies and in particular their views on security. It will consider the common crimes of theft, burglary, fraud and robbery as well as protest. As the famous quotation from Sun Tzu illustrates, knowing the enemy (malefactors in this case) brings benefits in defeating them.

If you know your enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.

(Sun Tzu, The Art of War)