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Discussion Paper Details

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Title: Does Regulation of Built-In Security Reduce Crime? Evidence from a Natural Experiment

Author(s): Jan C. van Ours and Ben Vollaard

Publication Date: May 2010

Keyword(s): crime, government regulation and victim precaution

Programme Area(s): Public Economics

Abstract: As of 1999, all new-built homes in the Netherlands have to have burglary-proof windows and doors. We provide evidence that this large-scale government intervention in the use of self-protective measures lowers crime and improves social welfare. We find the regulatory change to have reduced burglary in new-built homes from 1.1 to 0.8 percent annually, a reduction of 26 percent. The findings suggest that burglars avoid old, less-protected homes that are located in the direct vicinity of the new, better-protected homes. The presence of a negative externality on older homes is ambiguous. We find no evidence for displacement to other property crimes including theft from cars and bicycle theft. Even though the regulation of built-in security does not target preventative measures at homes that are most at risk, the social benefits of the regulation are likely to exceed the social costs.

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Bibliographic Reference

van Ours, J and Vollaard, B. 2010. 'Does Regulation of Built-In Security Reduce Crime? Evidence from a Natural Experiment'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=7817