Auto Theft in Toronto - Research Paper Example

cific locations, highlighting the involvement of specific groups in the crime and examining the offender’s profile in terms of race, social status and age. As the significance of outlining these factors is critical for understanding the nature of the crime itself and accordingly devising appropriate strategies for promoting crime prevention, the purpose of this research paper is to examine the demographic characteristics of youth auto theft in Toronto and analyzing the contributing aspects in the execution of this criminal activity.

According to Dhami, substantial research on youth auto theft in Canada is largely associated with those cases of the crime which have resulted in the arrest of the lawbreaker (187). However, Dhami asserts that it is important to understand that crime figures for youth auto theft which are primarily quantified on the basis of the arrest rates for offenders are misleading (187). The reason for this aspect is that these reports fail to take into account a significant percentage of the members of the younger population who have either 1) contemplated or considered robbing an individual of their ownership of a motor vehicle 2) indulged in or demonstrated any potential auto theft behaviors or 3) have utilized a stolen motor vehicle by riding in it (Dhami 187).

The examination of this scenario establishes the foundation for further assessing the state of auto theft in Toronto, specifically on the basis of demographic characteristics such as age. In the report formulated by Savoie which features the statistics for self-reported delinquent behaviors amongst the youth of Toronto, the research concluded that 37% of the reporters aged between 12 and 14 participated in felonious acts which comprised of property crimes amongst other unlawful activities (1).

However, the appearance of these activities chiefly involved instances of vandalism, arson and burglary while, the rates for youth auto theft in comparison with these activities only comprised