An evaluation of the methods used to recover stolen property in business in the Sunnyside policing area
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Authors
Makgatho, David Sephoka
Issue Date
2025-03
Type
Dissertation
Language
Keywords
UCTD , SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions , Commercial burglaries , Investigation , Strategy , Property crime , Stolen property , Methods, , Identification , Business burglary , Theft , Recovery , Strategies , Challenges , Contribution , Evidence , UCTD , SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study investigates methods used to recover stolen material from businesses in the Sunnyside policing area. To achieve the study's aim, the researcher employed a qualitative descriptive phenomenological research design, as this method allows for a rich and detailed exploration and description of the phenomenon under investigation.
The researcher employed qualitative research, a descriptive phenomenological research design, and exploratory and descriptive approaches to extract information from secondary (literature-based) and primary sources. In addition to theoretical literature, the primary data consisted of twenty-five qualitative individual in-depth interviews with specifically chosen Sunnyside SAPS investigators, who are the property crime investigators at the given research site.
The study was guided by four research questions that framed the main themes from the findings, including the functions of police around recovering stolen property, the nature of crime within businesses, the means to recover stolen property, and the limitations of investigators recovering stolen property.
One of the study's recommendations is for Sunnyside SAPS to expand its business burglary awareness efforts by involving more community stakeholders and using strategies beyond the police network to recover stolen property.