Stealing
1. DEFINITION
The Macquarie Dictionary defines steal as to “take or take away dishonestly or wrongfully, especially secretly” . (1)
2. BIBLE REFERENCE
Exodus 20:15
“Do not steal”.
3. FACTS
Below are some NSW crime statistics for the year of 2005 from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research: (2)
·There were 29, 103 motor vehicle thefts.
·There were 54, 415 incidents of stealing from motor vehicles.
·There were 18, 305 occurrences of retail store theft.
·There were 25, 006 occurrences of theft from dwellings.
·There were 12, 545 incidents of theft from people.
·There were 6, 360 incidents of people receiving or handling stolen goods.
For more information on NSW crime statistics visit:
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/pages/bocsar_rcs05_toc
4. NSW LEGISLATION
Crimes Act 1900 (3)
·According to section 116 all larcenies will be of the same nature: “Every larceny, whatever the value of the property stolen, shall be deemed to be of the same nature, and shall be subject to the same incidents in all respects”.
·Section 117 states that a person convicted of larceny can be liable for imprisonment for five years.
·According to section 154F a person who steals a motor vehicle or vessel is guilty of an offence and liable for maximum imprisonment of ten years.
·Section 121 of the Crimes Act states the verdict for larceny or receiving stolen goods: “On the trial of a person charged with larceny, or any offence which includes larceny, and, also, with having unlawfully received the property charged to have been stolen, knowing it to have been stolen, the jury find specially that the person either stole, or unlawfully received, such property, and that they are unable to say which of those offences was committed by the person, such person shall not by reason thereof be entitled to acquittal, but shall be liable to be sentenced for the larceny, or for the unlawful receiving, whichever of the two offences is subject to the lesser punishment”.
For more information on the Crimes Act 1900 please visit:
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+40+1900+FIRST+0+N/
5. HOW YOU CAN ACT
Below are tips from the NRMA on how to protect your house and car from theft:
a) To protect your house: (4)
·Install a security alarm.
·Always lock you windows and doors when you are in the house or leave the house.
·Don’t leave spare keys outside your house as burglars can guess the hiding place. Leave your spare key with a neighbour instead.
·Lock the side gates to your property.
·Install sensor lights around your property and keep plants and trees trimmed to ensure that there is always ample light.
·When you’re away on holiday attempt to make your house look like it is still occupied.
·Write a list of all your valuables and keep their receipts. Take pictures of them and possibly mark them with engravings or an ultraviolet pen.
·Put a ‘beware of the dog’ sign on your front gate, this can deter burglars.
·Make sure the contents of your house is insured.
b) To protect your car: (5)
·Always lock your car doors and boot.
·Make sure your windows and sunroof are closed.
·Hide any valuables out of sight or take them with you.
·Park your car in busy and well-lit areas.
·Install and engine immobiliser.
·Install a car alarm.
·Purchase a transmission lock or ignition shield.
·Have a parking barrier fitted in your driveway.
·Put a steering wheel lock on your car every time you leave it.
·Put a wheel clamp on your car every time you exit it.
For more information please visit:
http://www.nrma.com.au/pub/nrma/insurance/index.shtml
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FURTHER READING
Allen, J. (2000), Community survey of willingness to receive stolen goods, Contemporary Issues in Crime and Justice, No. 51, May, pp. 1-11.
Freiburg, A. (1997), Regulating Markets for Stolen Property, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, v.30, no.3 Dec 1997: 237-258.
Lawlink, Bureau of crime statistics and research, New South Wales, NSW recorded crime statistics: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/pages/bocsar_rcs05_toc
NRMA insurance, Home Help, burglary & break-ins prevention tips:
http://www.nrma.com.au/pub/nrma/home/homehelp/secure-protect/burglary/tips.shtmlNRMA insurance, crime safe, “help to secure your car”: http://www.nrma.com.au/pub/nrma/community/crimeprevention/media/NRMA_CrimeSafe_car_Security.pdf
Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, Crimes Act 1900 No 40:
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+40+1900+FIRST+0+N/
(1) Macquarie Dictionary (2005), “Steal”, Macquarie University, Published by Macquarie Library http://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/202.146.8.4@FFC87509336/-/macshowrecord/1/2/1/1
(2) Lawlink, Bureau of crime statistics and research, New South Wales, NSW recorded crime statistics: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/pages/bocsar_rcs05_toc
(3) Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, Crimes Act 1900 No 40:
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/viewtop/inforce/act+40+1900+FIRST+0+N/
(4) NRMA insurance, Home Help, burglary & break-ins prevention tips:
http://www.nrma.com.au/pub/nrma/home/homehelp/secure-protect/burglary/tips.shtml(5) NRMA insurance, crime safe, “help to secure your car”:
http://www.nrma.com.au/pub/nrma/community/crime-prevention/media/NRMA_CrimeSafe_car_Security.pdf
