Ethnicity and Spatial Externalities in Crime

Yves Zenou and Eleonora Patacchini

No 6130, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We develop a model where the decision to commit a crime in a neighboring area is a positive function of the percentage of same-race individuals residing in that area since they can provide crucial information on crime possibilities. The model then predicts a positive spatial correlation in crime between different contiguous areas; this correlation is higher the closer the distance between the areas. We empirically investigate these relationships using data from the crime statistics that are recorded by the police in Britain. We find results that are consistent with the model. In particular, the agglomeration of a given ethnic minority group is positively related to its crime activity and this effect declines quite sharply with distance between areas.

Keywords: Crime; Ethnic minorities; Social interactions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C23 K42 R12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo, nep-law, nep-soc and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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