The use of situational crime strategies to decrease larceny cases in Mauritius

[N. Mamode Khan, I. Koodoruth, S.Rampat and Y. Sunecher]

Larceny is found in Chapter II under section 301 in the Mauritian Criminal Code. In regards to
larceny law in Mauritius, just like in other criminal codes of other countries, the Mauritian criminal
code clearly differentiates between the different types of larcenies, the penalty for the different
types of larcenies, larceny during the night and day as well as larceny with or without violence or
the use of weapons. In Mauritius, the punishment for larceny is conviction to imprisonment and a
fine not more that Rs 10,000 but if the offender made use of a weapon which resulted in the victim
being injured then the offender will be sentenced with a jail sentence of minimum 5 years but not
exceeding 15 years.

Larceny has become a real concern for the Mauritians because during the past year, there has been
an increase of larceny cases in both rural and urban regions. In 2015, compared to 2014, there has
been an increase of 445 cases of larceny reported. Since larceny in Mauritius has not been
extensively researched, it is essential that some questions be posed.

Why are there more cases of larceny in rural areas than in urban areas and during day time as
compared to the night?

Why does the statistics in Mauritius differ from the general statistics from around the world
regarding larceny in rural and urban regions and the time during which larceny is committed?

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