Science doi:10.1126/science.1161405 (2008)
The controversial ‘broken windows’ thesis holds
that small signs of crime, such as smashed glass and
graffiti, can lead to more of the same, or worse. This is
the idea behind ‘zero tolerance’ policing. But strong,
supportive evidence for the theory has been lacking.
Kees Keizer and his colleagues at the University of
Groningen in the Netherlands covertly observed fellow
Groningers who were given the opportunity to steal
an envelope that obviously contained a €5 note from
a postbox. When the postbox was clean and tidy 13%
took the bait; by contrast, 27% stole from a graffitied
postbox and 25% from one with litter around it.
Other tests showed that people are more likely
to litter in the presence of graffiti or abandoned
shopping trollies, and after hearing the crackle of
illegal fireworks.
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