SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE MEMBERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE IMPACT OF WEATHER PATTERNS ON THE RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY PHENOMENONIN NEWLANDS EAST POLICING AREA, DURBAN

ABSTRACT: It is in the best interest of society,policy makers and law enforcement agencies tounderstand thefactors that influence crime in South Africa in order to implement effective crime prevention strategies.Thestudy from which this paper is an excerptaimedto explorethe perceptions of members of the South AfricanPolice Service (SAPS) on weather patterns as a contributory factor to the phenomenon of residential burglaryinthe Newlands East Policing Area inDurban. This was deemed necessarybecause residential burglary was thehighest reported property-related crime in the area for a period of five years (2015-2019).A qualitative researchapproach was employed which enabled the researchers to explore the attitudes, opinions, perceptions and viewsof selectedSAPS officials on weather patterns as a contributory factor to burglary in a residential setting.Datacollection was based on semi-structured interviews conducted on an individual basis with purposively selectedparticipants. The findings revealed that burglariesat residential premises increase duringhot weather conditionsand decrease during rainy as well as cold weather conditions. The predominant reason is thatcapableguardianship is absent during hot summer conditions and this causes a lack of witnessesof the crime of burglaryduring such periods.The analysis of the data and the resultant findings wereadequately supportedby thepropositionsof the routine activities theory.It is envisaged that the findings will not only enhance research inCriminological Sciences, but will also give SAPS planners andsociety a better understanding of how weatherpatterns affect the residential burglary phenomenon.After the findings have been appropriately disseminated tocommunity leaders and residentsthrough information seminars and by means of flyers, pamphlets and the socialmedia, society will be better informedto exercise caution during weather conditions that present opportunitiesfor the occurrence of this particular form ofcrime.

KEYWORDS: Property-related crime, housebreaking/burglary at residential premises, weather patterns,seasonality, perceptions