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ANNEX THREE: METHODOLOGY
- Introduction
The Mauritius Crime Trend Study is a study of the nature and extent of crime, the
emerging trends, and the impact that these may have on policing activities in
Mauritius and Rodrigues. The rationale behind such a study is to develop policing
strategies for dealing with crimes and other relevant issues in a proactive, practical
and sustainable manner.
- Objectives
The objectives of the survey:
- To determine the nature and extent of crime in Mauritius, which includes the
determination of the actual extent of those crimes, which were under-reported to
the police.
- To establish emerging crime trends, which includes crimes which the police are
aware of but have not yet developed strategies for, as well as those crimes
which they are largely unaware of.
- To develop awareness of proactive policing methods to address current and
future crime trends.
- Research questions
The following research questions have been formulated and attempts were made to
answer them during the survey phase. These questions encompassed the following
issues:
3.1 Perceptions
- Perceptions of crime trends: Levels of crime, types of crimes experienced
by the population, types of crimes most feared, cause and motive for the
crime, possibility of avoiding the crime, contribution of alcohol, drugs and
firearms to the escalation of crime.
- Perceptions of safety: Feelings of safety during the day and after dark,
factors undermining safety.
- Perceptions of the police: Lvels of trust and confidence in the police,
attitudes of the public towards the police, attitudes of the police towards
crime prevention, willingness to work with the police.
- Perceptions and prevalence of gang activities, illegal activities and drugs
usage.
3.2 Profiles of crimes
- Extent of the crime: Crime trends over time, including the year, month, day
and the time of the crime incident.
- Nature of crime: Where crime occurs, circumstances of the crime, offender
and victim profile, extent of injuries sustained by the victim, extent of
apprehension and rehabilitation of the offender, recovery of property
stolen, level of reporting, reasons for not reporting crime and outcome of
crime.
- Dynamics of crime and emerging crime trends: Change of crime over time,
emerging patterns of crime, contributory factors to changing patterns, and
as the dynamics of crime have changed, what are the emerging trends
and what are the contributory factors to this, could these be avoided or
controlled through policing, to what extent emerging crime patterns can be
addressed solely by a policing response, and how central are issues of
social welfare, poverty and inequality to crime prevention?
3.3 Responses
- Police response to crime incidents: Perceptions of victim regarding police
response, both positive and negative factors affecting police response,
and strategies for enabling better response.
- Impact of crime on policing strategies: The extent to which existing
techniques are able to address existing and emerging crime trends, the
consequence of emerging crimes on police morale, resources and
effectiveness.
- Public responses to crime and insecurity: Types of crime prevention
measures utilised by the population.
- Research tools
A set of research tools was used to collect valid, reliable and contextually sensitive
information to address the research questions. These tools include:
- Docket analysis: The systematic analysis of the information contained within a
random selection of police dockets to obtain information on the dynamics and
nature of crime in Mauritius/Rodrigues.
- Civilian Opinion survey: The administration of an opinion survey amongst
members of the population of Mauritius to measure their experiences of crime
and their responses to crime.
- Law Enforcement Workshops: Comprise of workshops with a range of law
enforcement officials with a view to obtaining information to determine the
trends in crime across recent years.
- Focus groups and in-depth interviews: Small discussion groups for the purpose
of addressing some of the more sensitive questions surrounding crime and
victimisation. These issues may include the motive for the crime, experiences of
the victim and dynamics of crime.
- Research Management
The Mauritian Police Force and SaferAfrica jointly managed the project. Mr Dip and
Mr Hangsraj from the Mauritius Police Force, together with Mr Ric De Caris and Mrs
Clare Jefferson from SaferAfrica, were designated as Project Managers. The primary
working team comprised of members from the Mauritius Police Research Secretariat.
Forty-three graduated police officers from the Mauritius Police Force were engaged
for the following tasks:
- As the Secretariat.
- For fieldwork.
- Computation and analysis of findings.
SaferAfrica performed ongoing monitoring of the project.
- Training
Officers from the Research Secretariat received training both in South Africa and
Mauritius on all processes and techniques necessary to complete the study. The
training provided aimed at ensuring the development of a sustainable research
capacity within the Mauritius Police Force. SaferAfrica also dispensed training to all
police officers engaged in the docket analysis. As regards the population surveys,
briefings for field workers were carried out by the Secretariat.
- Research Timing
The research commenced on 1 November 2003 with the desktop study and the
design of the research survey forms. Two Officers from the Mauritius Police
Research Secretariat received training at SaferAfrica in January 2004 on the
techniques required to conduct the study. The official launching ceremony of the
Crime Trend Study was held in Mauritius on 28th January 2004.
The fieldwork comprised of two phases, which started in February and ended by mid-
April. In the first phase, the docket analysis and focus group discussions were
conducted concurrently, whereas the population survey and law enforcement
workshops were carried out in the second phase. Three members of the Mauritius
Police Research Secretariat travelled to South Africa between 14th and 25th April
2004 for processing and analysis purposes. A coordinating meeting was conducted
from 30th May to 6th June 2004 in South Africa, to analyse the findings of the survey.
- Data coding and capturing
After each survey field workers carried out data coding and capturing at the police
computer lab. Data collected were processed at SaferAfrica, after which they were
sent to Mauritius for analysis and report.
- Opportunities of the study
The present study has been an opportunity for the graduated police officers to
acquire practical experiences in the research field. The study, which was also geared
towards in-house capacity building, enabled police to better understand issues of
crime dynamics and at the same time equipped them with the necessary skills to
undertake future research in the field of policing.
- Problems encountered
It is worth pointing out that the Crime Trend study is a pioneer among researches
carried out in various fields in Mauritius. This research project was indeed an
unprecedented event for the MPF as it was for the first time that police officers
undertook such a survey, including its management and fieldwork.
- Management
The MPF and SaferAfrica jointly managed the study with the latter overseeing
the proper unfolding of the survey. This necessitated regular consultations
between the Secretariat and the programme managers at SaferAfrica. As a
result the survey questionnaires, worked out by the Secretariat, had to be vetted
and refined by SaferAfrica and vice versa. This in some way impacted on the
time frame allotted to this survey, leaving aside the various inconveniences
caused by misunderstanding/misinterpretation of certain information sent via email.
- Logistics
The study was also characterised by other problems such as:
(a) Human Resources:
The magnitude of the survey and the profile of respondents to be surveyed
required more manpower than initially planned for. The more so, when a
small group has to be detached for data coding and capture. In an
endeavour to meet the deadlines, subsequent surveys had to be
undertaken immediately after the previous one was completed. This put
much pressure on both the Research Secretariat and the field workers
who could not have any breathing space in between the various surveys. It
was difficult to anticipate such problems, given that it was the first time that
the police were embarking on such a study.
(b) Data coding and capturing:
The successful completion of the study would not have been possible
without the necessary assistance from the IT Unit. Its lab at Beau Bassin
Training Centre was used for the data coding and capturing. However, the
inconveniences faced by the field workers during the data capture phase
could have been reduced if more computers were put at their disposal. In
fact, the limited number of computers available thereat posed lots of
problems to field workers who were required to carry out their own data
capture.
- Limitations of the study
It is essential to mention the factors which have encroached on the credibility of the
survey findings and for this particular project they mostly reside in the fact that it
involved the use of in-service police officers in the study of crime, the police and
policing-related issues.
-
Employing police officers for fieldwork in the present study leaves room for an
inherent element of bias. The interviewers’ bias, which seems very probable in
the present study, may have occurred as a result of the manner in which
questions were put to the respondent and the way the field worker with a police
background interpreted the answers. This may have been the case where, for
one reason or another, the researcher had to explain either the meaning of the
question/s put, or the meaning of certain words/terms used in the questions.
-
The information collected might have also been distorted as a result of
respondents’ over exaggeration of certain facts or crime incidents. In effect, in
many cases the public have perceived the study as an opportunity to express
either their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the police. This may have led to
exaggerated responses to certain questions. On the other hand, there may
have been information which has remained undisclosed or under-rated. This
may have been the case where the respondent would not disclose the fact that
he/she committed a crime or participated in it. For example, a respondent might
not reveal the fact that he has bribed a police officer because under the
Mauritian laws both would be accountable before the law. And people who have
been victims of rape, for example, may have suppressed certain information
that was likely to hurt their self-esteem.
- The information collected during the various surveys may have been distorted
by the fact that very often people answer questions just to please police officers.
Issues of intimidation and authority of police officers in Mauritius may have
contributed to respondents’ willingness to please the interviewer. However,
such bias has been catered for through the random sampling of respondents.
- Most of the surveys required respondents to think back about the incidents
being enquired into. Thus the information received might have some degree of
inaccuracy.
- Potential of the study
The information gathered will be relevant in many ways. The government can use it:
- As a basis for a civil society public awareness campaign against violence.
- As a basis for changing curricula in schools in respect of the culture of violence,
particularly as it relates to young offenders and brokers of crime in the country.
- As a basis for identifying capacities needed in law enforcement agencies.
- As a basis for planning policies affecting growth and development, including the
tourism industry and the management of international trade (entry points) into
and out of Mauritius.
- As a basis for the creation of a specialised law enforcement Research and
Survey Unit that can develop the capacity and engage periodically in monitoring
and verifying trends of crime and the impact of corrective strategies.
- Potential of regional and international study
The results of the study can be either used by the government officials or they can be
summarised and used for the two main purposes:
1. To generate public awareness campaigns and share information with the public.
2. To generate international interest in the Mauritius management of crime
combating and prevention based on a crime study. This could become the basis
for the launching of a report that could be at the core of a regional conference
either for SADC member states, or for the Indian Ocean Rim countries in
general, where similar information could be exchanged between officials and
discussed as a broader trend emerging in the region.
- Methodology for research tool
14.1 Docket analysis
The first phase of the Mauritius Crime Trend study comprised of docket
analysis, which consisted of the systematic transcription of key information from
the police dockets (case files) onto a survey form with a view to obtaining
information on the dynamics and nature of crimes in Mauritius.
14.1.2 Selection criteria for the stations
During the first phase of this study, dockets from 29 police stations,
including 5 stations from Rodrigues, were examined. A list of police
stations and the adequate number of dockets for each of the specific
crimes was provided to each supervisor. The latter were responsible for
the sampling and selection of dockets. The sampling criteria for the
choice of police stations were as follows:
(i) Frequency of crime occurrences
The frequency at which some specific crimes occurred within a
particular station area was one of the factors that determined its
selection for docket analysis. The rationale behind the inclusion of
this criterion was to facilitate field workers’ access to the required
number of dockets. The crime statistics kept at the Crime Records
Office were used as an instrument for the selection of these
stations.
(ii) Class category
Police stations in Mauritius are categorised in terms of classes
ranging from A-D. Such categorisation is based on criteria such as
the size of the station area, its population, and the extent and
nature of crimes occurring in the area. The stations earmarked for
the docket analysis were selected across the various class
categories with a view to ensuring representativeness and to
enable analysis of existing crimes and the new crime trends from
this perspective as well. As far as Rodrigues was concerned,
dockets were analysed from all the five police stations due to the
apparent low crime rate on this island.
(iii) Geographical locations
Police stations from both rural and urban areas across the island
were selected in this phase of the study. This selection criterion
was meant on the one hand to ensure the representativeness, and
on the other hand to enable comparative analysis of the crime
dynamics.
(iv) Selection of dockets
The selection of dockets was carried out in a random manner for
each of the specific crime types. After having decided on the
number of dockets that ere to be analysed from the designated
police stations, supervisors then randomly selected dockets that
fell within the predetermined period for that specific offence.
14.1.3 Training
Prior to the start of the docket analysis, a one day training course was
dispensed by the programme managers from SaferAfrica for the field
workers and supervisors engaged in the crime trend study. The docket
survey form was introduced to them and each section was thoroughly
explained. Each researcher was provided with a supplementary code
form, which provided further information meant to assist in the coding of
the docket survey forms.
14.1.4 Briefing with station clerks
Before the docket analysis phase, station clerks from the selected
police stations were convened for a meeting where the objectives of the
survey, and the manner in which it would be conducted, were
explained. They were also requested to provide the necessary
assistance to the field workers calling on them.
14.1.5 The survey team
Police officers were used as field workers for the docket analysis phase.
They were grouped in eight teams, each headed by a supervisor. Their
distinct roles were set as hereunder:
(i) Supervisor’s role
The supervisors were responsible for the following:
(i) To liaise with affected police stations in terms of making
provision for the arrival of docket procurement and work of
the field workers.
(ii) To deal with queries arising from the completion of the
docket form and the interpretation of categories.
(iii) To allocate numbers for additional codes.
(iv) To monitor field workers’ progress in order to ensure that the
daily quota was achieved.
(v) To verify the accuracy of the docket analysis.
(vi) To supervise the analysis of the final analytic reports.
(vii) To liaise between field workers and the Research Secretariat
to ensure that any blockages in the process were addressed.
(ii) Field worker’s role
The Field workers during this process were responsible for:
(i) The location and analysis of the specific crime dockets.
(ii) Coding and capturing the data.
(iii) Writing the descriptive report and notifying the supervisor of
any problems encountered during this process.
14.1.6 Design of survey form
The survey form comprised of a 4-page document enclosing six
sections. These sections required field workers to scrutinise the
following aspects of crime being enquired into:
- Temporal information (date and time of the crime).
- Spatial information (location of the crime).
- Methods of gaining compliance by offender.
- Tracking the crime status of the investigation and court
proceedings.
- Profiling the property stolen.
- Profiling the victim, offender and witness involved in the incident.
14.1.7 Conduct of survey
A sample of 100 dockets was collected for twenty-three of the specific
crime types. However, this quota could not be met for the 17 other
crime types as a result of a limited occurrence of such crimes at the
earmarked stations. This has required the undertaking of a second
phase, where additional dockets had to be tracked down in order to
have a better picture of the trends in those specific crimes and add
value to the findings. Docket analysis was also carried out in Rodrigues,
where 192 dockets covering eight crime categories were analysed. The
rationale behind the inclusion of a combination of crimes, instead of
going for specific crime types, was due to the low crime rate on the
island. Analysing crime dockets from this perspective also enabled a
global understanding of the crime state on the island.
(i) The cooperation of station clerks has been very crucial in that
phase of the study. However, despite the fact that station clerks
were convened to a meeting chaired by the Research Secretariat,
where they were briefed on the objectives of the study and
instructed to have the dockets ready for the field workers, some
station clerks have been unable to provide the necessary
assistance as a result of the various job constraints.
(ii) Despite the efforts made by field workers and the intervention of
the Research Secretariat in tracing out the open dockets, in many
instances the dockets that ought to have been analysed could not
be obtained. These dockets were either at the State Law Office or
with the enquiring officers. This impinged on the time frame
provided for the docket analysis.
(iii) The successful completion of the study would not have been
possible without the necessary assistance from the IT Unit.
However, the inconveniences faced by the field workers during the
data capture phase could have been reduced if more computers
were put at their disposal.
14.2 Civilian opinion survey
The second phase of the study comprised of the civilian opinion survey, which
encompassed the Population Crime Scan, Population Opinion Survey and
Victimisation Survey.
14.2.1 Population Crime Scan survey
14.2.1.1 Objectives
The aim of the crime scan was to obtain an accurate
measure of the extent of crime in Mauritius. It is widely
accepted that the population do not report all crimes to the
police. This tendency to under-report crime impacts on the
ability of the police to develop proactive policing strategies as
the police lack the true picture of the crime. Consequently,
the advantage derived from this crime scan allowed the
police to measure the dark figure of crime. The crime scan
complements existing police statistics by providing a
comparative measure of crime rates.
14.2.1.2 Sampling frame
The population scan was carried out in Mauritius and
Rodrigues and targeted 7 000 respondents, including 200
people from Rodrigues. The Mauritius Census Report 2000
Volume IV was used as a yardstick for defining the sampling
frame. The following variables were used to quota sample
the population: age, gender, socio economic background and
geographical locations:
- Age
Respondents falling under the following four broad
categories were selected:
• 18-30 yrs
• 31-45 yrs
• 46-60 yrs
• > 60 yrs
The number of respondents selected within the age
categories was proportional to the actual population
distribution within the districts.
- Gender
The male to female ratio of respondents selected were
representative of the population distribution within the
districts of Mauritius and Rodrigues.
- Socio economic background
Field workers were requested to select respondents
within the various socio economic backgrounds. Two
criteria were used as yardsticks to identify the socio
economic backgrounds of respondents: Firstly, the
occupation of respondents, and secondly their monthly
income. As regards the income as a criterion for socio
economic variable, the following four income ranges
were identified:
• < Rs 8 000
• Rs 8 000 – Rs 14 999
• Rs 15 000 – Rs 29 999
• > Rs 30 000
The percentage respondents selected from within the
income ranges were as follows:
• < Rs 8 000  65%
• Rs 8 000 – Rs 14 999 15%
• Rs 15 000 – Rs 29 999 10%
• > Rs 30 000 5%
It must be emphasised, however, that the socio
economic variable, which was mostly used in the
identification of respondents, was their occupation.
- Geographical locations
The respondents were selected across all the districts
of Mauritius and Rodrigues. The number of respondents
selected per district was proportional to the actual
population within those districts.
14.2.1.3 Pilot testing
Forty questionnaires were pilot-tested in the nine districts of
Mauritius prior to the survey proper. The difficulties
experienced by field workers, as well as shortcomings
inherent in the initial survey form, were noted. Thereafter
necessary amendments were made to the form. The main
questions which sought to gain information about the crime
which the respondent and any of his/her relatives were victim
of during the past five years was amended. It finally
addressed crimes which only the respondents might have
been a victim of during the past 5 years.
14.2.1.4 Questionnaire design
The questionnaire was initially designed by SaferAfrica. It
consisted of an A4 page printed on both sides. It was then
translated into Creole for ease of administration and
understanding. The questionnaire consisted of three
sections, dealing with:
- In the first section, respondents were asked whether
they had, during the past five years, been victims of a
series of crimes classified under eight broad crime
categories. The respondents were also requested to
state whether they reported the crime to the police, and
the number of times they had been victim of such crime,
as well as the year in which they occurred.
- The second section dealt with specified crimes which
occurred at the respondent’s workplace. This part was
included to address the limitations identified at the
piloting phase of the initial survey form. In fact during
the pilot testing of questionnaires, some respondents
reported having been victims of certain crimes at their
workplace. Hence the need was felt to include a section
relating to offences at the workplace in order not to lose
vital information.
- Finally, respondents were requested to state whether
they had been victims of any other crimes not specified
in sections 1 and 2 of the form.
14.2.1.5 Administration of questionnaire
Field workers were despatched to various sample points both
in Mauritius and Rodrigues where they identified and
interviewed respondents actually meeting the relevant
criteria. The interviewers introduced themselves as police
officers and explained to prospective respondents the aim
and purpose of the survey. Respondents were given total
assurance that their identities and responses would be
treated under the cloak of anonymity. Only those
respondents who volunteered to participate in the survey
were interviewed. Questionnaires were administered in the
local dialect for ease of understanding and to avoid
misinterpretation. On average it took approximately 15
minutes to administer one questionnaire.
14.2.1.6 Difficulties encountered
During the crime scan survey field workers experienced
some difficulties, for instance:
- Identification of respondents who met all the
predetermined criteria, especially with regard to the
socio economic background. However, in most cases
the occupation of respondents rather than their monthly
income was used as a yardstick to satisfy such
criterion.
- Furthermore, despite the fact that the public was
notified about the aim and purpose of the study by way
of a press release, some members of the public who
were approached by the field workers were reluctant to
participate in the survey. This was a major stumbling
block for field workers who surveyed the Rodriguan
population. This could possibly be explained by the fact
that the Mauritian police officers conducted the survey
on the island.
14.2.2 Population Opinion survey
The second part of the civilian opinion survey comprised of the
population opinion survey.
14.2.2.1 Objectives
The objectives of the population opinion survey were:
- To capture opinion about crime, policing and safety in
Mauritius and Rodrigues.
- To have a better understanding of the attitudes and
perceptions of the people of Mauritius and Rodrigues
upon which to develop responses to existing and
emerging crime trends.
14.2.2.2 Sampling
The opinion survey targeted 1 262 respondents out of which
62 were from Rodrigues. The study was carried out in 40
sample points from both urban and rural areas across all the
districts of Mauritius. In Rodrigues, respondents were
randomly selected from the five station areas, namely Port
Mathurin, La Ferme, Grande Montagne, Riviere Coco and
Petit Gabriel.
14.2.2.3 Selection of respondents
Respondents were selected through a quota sampling based
on age, gender and place of residence. The sample was
meant to be representative of both the males and females
within 4 broad age categories ranging from 18-30 yrs, 31-45
yrs, 46-60 yrs and > 60 yrs.
14.2.2.4 Locating sampling points
For the purpose of the survey, a number of towns and
villages were randomly selected across the nine districts in
Mauritius. A series of streets within the selected areas were
then randomly identified and a list drawn accordingly wherein
each of these streets was consecutively numbered. In order
to ensure the complete randomness of the sample, field
workers were directed to either even or odd numbered
streets. They were also provided with a list indicating the
selected districts, towns, villages and streets.
14.2.2.5 Design of questionnaire
The opinion survey consisted of the administration of a
questionnaire worked out by the programme managers of
SaferAfrica and Officers from the Mauritius Police Research
Secretariat. The questionnaire comprised of seventy
questions relating to public opinion about crime, policing and
safety. The questions were set in English and their
translations into the local dialect were included for ease of
administration, understanding and interpretation.
The questions addressed the following issues:
- Demographic information about the respondents.
- The public perception of the police.
- Public perception of the level of crime, violence,
corruption, drug- and firearms-related issues in the
locality.
- The fear of crime and risk of victimisation.
- The prevalence of specific crimes in the locality.
- Public awareness and perceptions of, and their
willingness to, participate in the police and public
partnership programme.
14.2.2.6 Pilot testing of survey questionnaire
Prior to the survey proper, forty questionnaires were pilottested
on both victims and non-victims of crime in the ratio of
1:1. Thereafter certain questions had to be rephrased in
order to remove ambiguities which had emerged during the
pilot testing.
14.2.2.7 Administration of the survey questionnaire
The survey questionnaire was an 8-page document
consisting of 70 questions. Because it was a lengthy
questionnaire, which in some cases necessitated an
explanation, supplemented with examples, it took
approximately 45 - 60 minutes to interview a particular
respondent and record the relevant details. As a result, field
workers either had to call at the respondent’s place or
identify a location where the respondent could be put at ease
for the exercise. Field workers were instructed to refrain from
conducting such interviews at police stations or any other
place which was likely to cause inconvenience to the
respondent. They were reminded about the importance of
rapport building and courtesy during the course of the
survey. It is to be noted that the questionnaire was
administered in Creole. The English version was meant to
assist field workers in providing the necessary examples
where required.
14.2.2.8 Coding & capturing
A group of graduated police officers involved in the project
were used to code and capture the information recorded on
the survey forms. The data collected were then sent to
SaferAfrica for processing following which they were sent
back to Mauritius for analysis and report.
14.2.2.9 Problems encountered
In many cases the field workers had to take more time than
expected for the following reasons:
- Many respondents perceived the exercise as an
opportunity to vent their feelings either for or against
the police, thereby increasing the duration of the
interview.
- The fact that people from different localities in
Mauritius interpret certain words and terms differently
resulted in the wording used in the questionnaire still
causing problems despite necessary modifications
introduced after the pilot phase. Thus field workers
spent a lot of time explaining such words and terms.
This problem was mostly felt in Rodrigues.
14.2.3 Victimisation survey
The victimisation survey was the last survey carried out in the second
phase of the study. It involved the collection of information from victims
of specific crime types, falling under four broad crime categories,
namely:
- Offences against the person: Murder, manslaughter, wounds and
blows causing death, assault and domestic violence.
- Offences against property: Larceny.
- Offences involving fraud and dishonesty: Swindling and
embezzlement.
- Offences against morality: Rape and attempt upon chastity.
14.2.3.1 Objectives
To focus on the experiences of the victims with regards to
the following:
- The underlying issues of reporting the crime, including
the level of satisfaction of the victim following the report.
- Victim assistance process.
- Change in behaviour as a result of the crime incident.
14.2.3.2 Sampling criteria
The only criterion used for the victimisation survey was that
respondents had to have been a victim of at least one of the
specific crimes.
14.2.3.3 Questionnaire design
The survey form comprised of eight pages with eighty-three
questions that sought to obtain information about:
- The type of crime the respondent had been victim of
and relevant information such as the degree to which it
had been completed. Temporal and spatial information
about the crime, and whether the victim reported the
crime to the police. If not the reason it was not reported.
- Whether the crime in which the respondent was a victim
involved any loss of property. Information as to the
nature of property stolen, as well as the method used
by the offender to obtain the victim’s compliance was
also sought.
- The profile of both victim and offender.
- Assistance, including police assistance and counselling,
and the degree to which respondents were satisfied with the services provided by the police and/or other
relevant institutions.
- Any post-incident behavioural change on the part of the
victim.
- Offender’s motivation for the crime from the victim’s
perspective.
14.2.3.4 Pilot testing of questionnaire
Prior to the survey questionnaires were pilot-tested with
victims of crime falling under eight crime categories.
Thereafter certain questions had to be rephrased to facilitate
understanding. An additional section under the heading “field
worker’s comments” had to be included to capture valuable
information which could not otherwise be obtained through
the existing questions.
14.2.3.5 Administration of questionnaire
Twenty-six field workers were engaged in this survey and
were grouped into eight teams, each dealing with one
specific crime type. They were provided with official crime
statistics for the past 3 years for the crimes they had to
investigate. They were required to randomly locate 50 victims
island-wide. In addition, one female field worker was
attached to the teams investigating offences against morality.
Furthermore, the teams were required to go through the
crime dockets kept at stations so as to randomly identify
potential respondents. Afterwards, liaisons were established
with those earmarked respondents as to their willingness to
participate in the survey. If potential respondents volunteered
to participate, dates were fixed for the interviews at their
places of residence. However, field workers were instructed
not to carry out any such interview at the police stations or
any other police precincts. Only female field workers,
following necessary liaison by team supervisors, interviewed
victims of offences against morality.
14.2.3.6 Coding and capturing
A group of graduated police officers, who were proficient in
IT, was used to code and capture the information recorded
on the survey forms. The input data were then e-mailed to
SaferAfrica for processing purposes after which they were
sent back to Mauritius for analysis and report.
14.2.3.7 Problems encountered
During the survey field workers faced the following problems:
- Despite being provided with police vehicles to travel to
various locations throughout the island, field workers
encountered some problems establishing contact with
some of the respondents. This was particularly the case
for offences with low frequency rates such as murder
and rape.
- In cases of offences against morality, especially in rape
cases, victims showed some reluctance to participate.
Parents/guardians whose child/ward had been a victim
of crime would not allow any interviews with the latter.
In many cases parents/guardians provided the
necessary information without involving their children.
14.3 Law Enforcement Workshops
Law Enforcement Workshops were organised between the 23rd and 26th of
March 2004 in Mauritius and Rodrigues, at the strategic, middle manager and
field officer level. The two programme managers from SaferAfrica acted as
facilitators for all the workshops. The Law Enforcement Workshop provided an
opportunity to obtain, from the police perspective, views about the actual crime
trends and the emerging trends. These workshops also endeavoured to
evaluate the current policing strategies and their efficiency to respond to
existing crime trends in light of existing resources.
14.3.1 Objectives
The rationale behind the Law Enforcement Workshop was to obtain
from a law enforcement official’s perspective:
- Opinions about existing crimes and emerging crime trends.
- The ability of the police to respond efficiently to existing and
emerging crimes in terms of resources available.
- The adequacy and appropriateness of current policing strategies
to deal with emerging crime trends.
14.3.2 Strategic level workshop
The workshop for Officers at strategic level comprising of participants
both from the police and the outer departments was held on the 23rd of
March at the Hotel School of Mauritius. All Deputy Commissioners of
Police (DCP), and Divisional and Branch Officers, participated in the
workshop. Officers operating at the strategic level in the Prison
Department, Customs Department, Fisheries Protection Services and
the State Law Office, also participated in the workshop.
In the first part of the workshop all the Divisional Commanders followed
by the DCP responsible for the North, South and Crime made an oral
presentation on their respective jurisdictions and on the existing and
emerging crime trends. Officers from the Out departments were also
welcome to give a brief exposé on their respective institutions and on
the existing and emerging crime trends. The second part comprised of
an interactive phase wherein programme managers from SaferAfrica
acted as facilitators. The following issues were addressed during that
phase:
• current policy.
• crime prevention strategy.
• crime trends.
• emerging crime trends.
• resources needs.
• capacity needs( training and manpower) and,
• best practices.
All relevant information that emerged in the course of the workshop was
transcribed for further qualitative analysis. In the final phase of the
workshop, participants were requested to fill in a self-administered
survey form under the guidance of the programme manager from
SaferAfrica.
14.3.3 Middle Managers and Field Officers Workshop
A workshop was also held for police officers at the middle management
and field Officer’s level on the 24th of March 2004. Participants in the
middle manager’s workshop were officers of the rank of Superintendent,
Assistant Superintendent and Chief Inspector from all the Divisions and
Branches of the Mauritius Police Force. As regards the field Officer’s
workshop, which was held on the same date, participants came from
the rank of Inspector, Sergeant and Police Constable/Woman Police
Constable. The two workshops were held separately.
Middle manager’s and field Officer’s workshops involved group
discussions on specific questions followed by an oral presentation. In
this context participants were divided into syndicates and were asked to
discuss a set of questions relating to:
- The existing and emerging crime trends in Mauritius.
- Things that should be done by police to address existing and
emerging trends that do not rely on more resources.
- Whether the existing policing approaches were appropriate to deal
with the emerging crime trends. Participants were also requested
to assess the ability of the police to respond to existing crime
trends in light of existing resources.
- The main challenges facing the police.
14.3.4 Law enforcement workshop in Rodrigues
Island
A fourth workshop was held in Rodrigues and comprised of participants
from middle manager and field Officers from Rodrigues police, as well
as Officers from the Prisons Department, Customs Department,
Fisheries Protection Services, Forest Department, and Port and Airport
Authorities. The workshop was in two phases. In the first phase, the
Divisional Commander of Rodrigues, as well as Officers from the Out
departments, made presentations about their respective law
enforcement roles. This was followed by a group discussion on the four
topics broached during the middle managers and field workers
workshop in Mauritius. Participants were also requested to fill in a
survey form similar to the one administered in the workshops held in
Mauritius.
14.3.5 Law enforcement survey
As stipulated above, all participants from the four different workshops
had to fill in and submit a survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was
designed to obtain information about the existing crime state in
Mauritius and Rodrigues. The first section endeavoured to obtain
respondent’s perceptions about the deterring effect of harsher
penalties, as well as the extent to which it was possible to rehabilitate
an offender.
The second part of the questionnaire aimed at gauging:
- The performance of government officials whose departments were
represented at the workshop.
- The effectiveness of current law enforcement mechanisms in
cracking down on illegal activities such as illegal entry of people,
goods and drugs, corruption, larceny against tourists, prostitution
(including child prostitution) and computer crimes.
- The main blockages within the police force.
The survey questionnaire also urged respondents to express their views
on certain sore issues like:
- The fight against drugs.
- The improvement of police knowledge in specific policing fields.
- The degree to which some measures would be necessary to
improve the ability of the police to reduce crime.
- How additional money could be judiciously used in the fight
against crime.
Finally, respondents were also requested to state what, according to
them, are the new crimes which have emerged in Mauritius/Rodrigues
in recent years.
14.3.6 Limitations
- The duration of the workshop was too short to allow in-depth
group discussion.
- The limited number of participants at the workshop necessitated
discussion from a national perspective only. A more in-depth
analysis of the issues could have been possible had the issues
under discussion been broached from a police division’s
perspective.
14.4 Focus group discussions and structured interviews
The crime trend study also comprised of focus group discussions and structured
interviews as survey tools geared towards obtaining qualitative data as regards
crimes, victimisation and profile of offenders. It targeted offenders, victims of crimes,
and potential victims from all walks of life, with a view to obtaining information about
the real picture of the extent of crime.
This entailed gathering small discussion groups for the purpose of addressing some
of the more sensitive issues surrounding crime and victimisation. These issues
included the motive for the crime, experiences of the victim and dynamics of crime.
14.4.1 Focus group discussions
A qualitative approach has been used in this present study. Qualitative
research encompasses in-depth interviewing and focus group discussions
with subjective assessment of attitudes, opinions, and behaviour. The
greatest strength of qualitative research is to add understanding and insight
into behaviour and attitudes. A focus group discussion is a form of group
interviewing in which small groups of usually 8 to 12 people are led by a
moderator (interviewer) in a loosely structured discussion of various topics of
interest. The aim of the focus group was to establish the nature and extent of
certain types of crimes and to establish the needs of the target groups who
have been, or could be, affected by a particular type of crime.
14.4.1.1 Objectives:
• To gather quality information about crime, policing and safety
in Mauritius.
• To have comparative measure of study with existing crime
policing methods.
• To know the emerging crime trend in Mauritius.
• To address some of the most sensitive questions
surrounding crime and victimization which include the motive
of the crime, experiences of the victim and dynamics of
crime.
14.4.1.2 Methods
Prior to the focus group discussion participants were informed of
the following:
- The purpose and duration of the discussion, as well as the
time at which breaks will be taken.
- Topic of discussion and the manner in which the information
arising from the discussion would be recorded and used.
14.4.1.3 Questionnaire design
The focus group discussion was characterised by the
administration of a survey questionnaire containing open-ended
questions on specific crimes, and other crime-related issues, as
well as the impact on the population. The questions set differed
according to the type of respondent who formed part of the
discussion. However, it should be pointed out that a large number
of questions applied to all the participants irrespective of the age
group and/or social status. Questions relating to the following
issues were broached during the various discussions:
- The nature of crime prevalent in the country.
- The degree to which respondents were aware of their rights
and the existing laws.
- Respondent’s awareness of victim support agencies.
- Respondent’s perception of post victimisation behavioural
change and its impact on the household.
- Respondent’s perception of police and government.
- Social factors impacting on criminal behaviour.
14.4.1.4 Administration of questionnaire
The focus group discussions were conducted by two women
police officers; one acted as facilitator while the other took relevant
notes. The facilitator focused the discussion on pertinent issues
without any direct participation in it. This required good listening
skills. The facilitator tried to keep the discussion as informal as
possible and encouraged all participants to speak their minds. The
respondents were reassured of complete anonymity. Questions
were put to respondents either in Creole or French depending on
the respondent’s background. However, they were informed that
they were free to express themselves in the language they
preferred. The whole process took approximately one and a half
hours.
14.4.1.5 Target group for focus group
(i) Young unmarried women between 16 and 18 years
A focus group targeting young women between the ages of
16 and 18 years was held for the purpose of gaining access
to information about violent sexual crime. Women of this
profile, who are still school-going age, do have access to
information about the prevalence of violent sexual crime, as
well as other social issues relating to rape and sexual assault
through interactions with other young women at school.
(ii) Women of 25 to 35 years of age who stay at home to
care for children
The purpose of targeting women of this age group is to
determine the nature and extent of marital abuse and
substance abuse taking place in Mauritius. Women who stay
at home may have greater access to information about
marital abuse within homes and their immediate
surroundings.
(iii) Youthful offenders between age of 18 to 21 years
The purpose of targeting youthful offenders is to investigate
crime, such as larceny and vandalism, committed by young
men. These offenders may also be able to provide
information about the effectiveness of the penal system and
rehabilitation.
14.4.1.6 Incentives
- In all discussion sessions, participants were offered
refreshments.
- As regards the discussion with the elderly, participants were
convened in a hotel conference room where, besides the
refreshment provided, they were allotted a sum of Rs 50 as
transport fees.
14.4.1.7 Limitations
Although participants responded fully to issues under discussion,
the possibility of respondent’s misinterpretation of certain
questions always existed. The more so when one considers the
fact that the questions, originally set in English, had to be
translated to accommodate the participants. In a similar vein it was
noted that in the heat of the debates, the resource person
responsible for recording the key issues might have missed out
some vital information.It is worthwhile to point out that many
people who were called upon to participate in the discussion did
turn up. However, some were not able to make it because of some
other professional commitments.
14.4.2 Structured interviews
14.4.2.1 Objectives
- To gather quality information about crime, policing and safety
in Mauritius.
- To have a comparative measure of study with existing crime
policing methods.
- To address some of the most sensitive questions
surrounding crime and victimization which include the motive
of the crime, experiences of the victim and dynamics of crime.
14.4.2.2 Interview
Two women police officers were engaged for the conducting of the
structured interviews with the target groups. Prior to conducting
this exercise, the officers received a briefing dispensed by the
programme officers from SaferAfrica on rapport building,
communication skills and the procedure to be followed.
14.4.2.3 Target group for structured interviews
i) Hotel managers
The purpose of targeting hotel managers was to gather
information about the extent and type of crime which is
frequent in hotels. In addition, gauging the security available
for the tourist’s safety and the ways of improving it.
(ii) Ombudsperson
The purpose of targeting the Ombudsperson was to gather
qualitative information from the Ombudsperson about the
extent of crime among vulnerable groups such as women
and children, and the emerging crime trend among this
category of people.
(iii) NATReSA
The purpose of targeting the NATReSA was to gather
information about the drug scourge in Mauritius and the role
of the NATReSA as an agency responsible for the treatment
and rehabilitation of substance abusers in Mauritius.
(iv) MACOSS (Mauritius Council for Social Services)
The purpose of targeting the president of MACOSS was to
gauge the perception of the level of crime, public safety and
policing from the standpoint of a non-governmental
organisation.
(v) Business entrepreneurs
The purpose of targeting entrepreneurs was to establish the
nature of organised crime, and the purchase and sale of
goods on the black market. Entrepreneurs may have access
to specialised knowledge about illicit business dealings
because they are working without the support of large
organisations, and may be more vulnerable to the effects of
these types of crime.
(vi) Prostitutes
Prostitution is an offence where most of the time the parties
involved are willing participants. Therefore such crimes go
unreported and undetected. However, it is an undoubted fact
that prostitution paves the way for other offences such as
property offences, drug abuse, assault and so on. The
purpose of targeting the prostitutes was to have an insight
into the extent and nature of crime within such a milieu.
14.4.2.4 Procedures
The rationale behind the Crime Trend Study, and the purpose of
conducting the various interviews, were intimated by way of letters
to prospective participants. Appointments were scheduled with
those who volunteered to be interviewed. Interviews were
conducted on the date, time and place convenient to the
participants. However, in the case of prostitutes, the researchers
contacted most of the subjects personally at specific and identified
spots. One of them was contacted by CID Officers of Port Louis
North. The areas where the respondents come from included the
following: Rose Hill, Roche Brunes, Cite Barkly, Roche Bois, Cite
La Cure, Abercrombie and Grand Bay.
14.4.2.5 Questionnaire design
The structured interview was carried out through the
administration of a predetermined set of questions covering the
following broad issues:
- The nature of crime prevalent in interviewees’ domain.
- The degree to which respondents were aware of their rights
and the existing laws.
- Respondent’s awareness of victim’s support agencies.
- Respondent’s perception of post victimisation behavioural
change and its impact on household.
- Respondent’s perceptions of police and government.
- Social factors impacting on criminal behaviour.
Certain specific questions related to the interviewee’s domain and
areas of interest were also encompassed in the questions.
Difficulties Encountered
(i) Reluctance to participate
The participants welcomed the rationale behind the Crime
Trend Study and were very enthusiastic to share information
with the interviewers. However, in some cases it was noted
that despite being given the reassurance that every iota of
information received would be treated under the cloak of
anonymity, people were unwilling to talk openly about crime.
(ii) Availability of interviewees
Most of the people understood the importance of the study
and responded positively. However, in some instances,
people could not be reached for the interview due to their
heavy professional commitments.
(iii) Interviewer’s risk
For the purpose of the study interviews were carried out with
prostitutes in relatively ‘hot spot’ areas. As such interviewers
were exposed to risk of being mugged, more so when
prostitutes/pimps were aware of the interviewer’s identity.
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