VIGILANTISM AND PROPERTY CRIMES IN CALABAR SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF CROSS RIVER STATE NIGERIA
Keywords:
Vigilantism, Vigilante Groups, Armed Robbery, Burglary, Vandalism, Partnership Policing, Crime.Abstract
The study examined vigilantism and property crimes- Armed robbery, vandalism and burglary in Calabar South Local government area of Cross River state, Nigeria. Relevant literature was reviewed and the theory of partnership policing was adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The research deployed the correlational-survey design with the convenience sampling technique. Through a self-designed questionnaire, data were generated from 150 respondents. Generated data were statistically tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that vigilantism has a significant negative correlation with all property crime highlighted by the study namely; armed robbery, burglary, and vandalism. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that in addition to the official security service provided by the state, individual streets and community leaders should patronise the services of vigilante groups to prevent property crimes in their neighbourhoods.
