Sponsored by
All dressed up to steal
Reebok Classic trainers have been named as the must-have fashion accessory for burglars in the county.
Research carried out by the University of Leicester found that the 59.99 Reebok Classics were the footwear of choice in more than half of all burglaries in Northamptonshire.
And the findings could prove to be highly beneficial.
Dr John Bond, scientific support manager at Northamptonshire Police, who helped carry out the research, said it could be a vital way of catching criminals in the future.
He said: "The research can tell forces what sort of person you are looking for.
"It will give them a steer or point them in the right direction, based on the sort of person they might be – their lifestyle, where they might
live, how they dress, purely based on the cost of their shoes.
"This research provides another dimension. Recovering footwear impressions adds value for the scene of crime officer."
The study, published in the Police Review, looked at footprints in 155 burglaries and found Classics were worn by 52 out of 100 burglars in the county.
Research also found unemployed burglars were more likely to fork out around 67 for their felonious footwear, whereas employed burglars spent
an average of just 48 on their shoes. It is thought the Reebok classic trainer provides burglars a lightweight option for sneaking around homes, as well as providing support to make a speedy getaway.
Through looking at the tread patterns left by a shoe, officers can often establish other issues such as height, weight and the way in which the criminal walks.
Alex Bones, of Beanfield Avenue, Corby, said: "I'm surprised burglars have a specific type of shoe. If you said they were more likely to wear a hoodie to cover their faces I could believe it but this is crazy."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kettering
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North
