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

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  • van Ours, Jan C.
  • Vollaard, Ben

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.

Suggested Citation

  • van Ours, Jan C. & Vollaard, Ben, 2010. "Does Regulation of Built-In Security Reduce Crime? Evidence from a Natural Experiment," CEPR Discussion Papers 7817, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:7817
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crime; Government regulation; Victim precaution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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