Initial impacts of COVID-19 on youth offending: An exploration of differences across communities

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
McCarthy, Molly
Homel, Jacqueline
Ogilvie, James
Allard, Troy
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2021
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

A number of international studies have found that the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with reductions in crime, primarily due to changes in the routine activities of the population. However, to date there has been no targeted exploration of how COVID-19 may have influenced youth offending, which may be more heavily impacted by the changes heralded by COVID-19 containment measures. This study examines changes in youth offending in an Australia jurisdiction, Queensland, following the implementation of COVID-19 containment measures from the period April to June 2020. Additionally, differences in impacts across community types were explored. Findings from the panel regression indicated significant declines in youth property offending, offences against the person and public order offences in this period, but no significant changes in illicit drug offences. There were also significant differences across communities according to socio-economic status, per cent Indigenous population, and the extent of commercial or industrial land use. Findings are explored with reference to environmental crime theories and the potential impacts of social, economic and policing changes that occurred in this period.

Journal Title

Journal of Criminology

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

54

Issue

3

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Public health

Criminology

Persistent link to this record
Citation

McCarthy, M; Homel, J; Ogilvie, J; Allard, T, Initial impacts of COVID-19 on youth offending: An exploration of differences across communities, Journal of Criminology, 2021, 54 (3), pp. 323-343

Collections