Reviews : Commercial Robbery - Offenders' Perspectives on Security and Crime Prevention Martin Gill Blackstone Press, 2000; pp197; £19.95, pbk ISBN 1841741507
| Date | 01 December 2000 |
| Published date | 01 December 2000 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455050004700420 |
| Author | Tariq Hyatt Butt |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
289
identify
the
non-British
aspect
of
their
heritage.
I
found
this
a
little
sad.
Notwithstanding
this,
this
is
a
really
attractive
book
which
will
prove
useful
in
a
learning
environment
such
as
a
groupwork
programme,
as
well
as
looking
good
in
the
family
home.
Jennifer
Butler
Probation
Officer,
Inner
London
Commercial
Robbery -
Offenders’
Perspectives
on
Security
and
Crime
Prevention
Martin
Gill
Blackstone
Press,
2000;
pp197;
£19.95,
pbk
ISBN
1841741507
This
book
is
specifically
about
the
robbery
of
commercial
premises,
which
the
author
distinguishes
from
street
robbery
(muggings).
The
author
argues
that
the
former
involves
a
greater
degree
of
sophistication
than
the
latter.
Although
there
appears
to
be
a
tendency
for
street
robbery
to
overshadow
commercial
robbery
in
the
criminal
field,
it
is
to
the
author’s
credit
that
he
reminds
us
of this
type
of
offence
which
in
my
view
should
carry
equal
weight,
if
not
more,
when
discussing
the
concept
of
robbery
in
criminological
research.
The
book
is
based
on
interviews
with
people
in
prison
who
have
been
convicted
of,
and/or
have
admitted
undertaking,
a
robbery
in
the
business
environment.
The
study
was
sponsored
by
commercial
organisations,
which
wanted
to
know
why
they
were
being
chosen
as
targets
and
were
keen
to
ascertain
robbers’
views
on
security
measures
and
the
police
and
prisons.
The
book
offers
a
unique
perspective
into
the
ways
robbers
think
and
behave.
Various
theories
and
viewpoints
are
considered
and
evaluated.
Fundamental
features
such
as
social,
political,
economic
and
legislative
arguments
are
integrated
into
evaluations
which
determine
how
commercial
robbers
come
to
commit
such
offences.
Is
the
robber
rational
in
his
choice
of
commercial
robbery?
What
motivates
robbers
in
getting
started
and
preparing
for
robbery?
How
do
they
view
the
police
and
courts
when
sentenced?
What
do
they
think
about
victims
on
all
sides
of
the
fence
including
repeat
victimisation?
In
my
view,
the
book
has
a
degree
of
relevance
to
the
work
of
the
Probation
Service;
this
includes
PSR
writing,
community
supervision
work,
victim
perspectives,
interagency
risk
management
and
cognitive
behavioural
work
with
such
offenders
in
prisons.
The
book
is
well
argued,
informative
and
balanced
in
all
its
viewpoints.
I
was
most
impressed
with
the
author’s
thoughtful
review
of
each
of
the
case
studies
(Billy,
Dennis,
John
and
Tom)
and
of
how
their
individual
backgrounds
led
them
into
crimes of
a
commercial
nature.
Finally,
the
author
concludes
on
the
risk
management
process
of
commercial
robbery
by
examining
his
own
research,
other
findings
and
the
merits
and
demerits
of
situational
crime
prevention
techniques
including
the
world
of
security
management.
Tariq
Hyatt
Butt
Probation
Officer,
Nottinghamshire
To continue reading
Request your trial