Internet Journal of Criminology © 2008
www.internetjournalofcriminology.com 1
HANDLING STOLEN GOODS:
FINDINGS FROM THE 2003 OFFENDING CRIME
AND JUSTICE SURVEY
Mike Sutton, Sarah Hodgkinson and Mike Levi
1
Abstract
This paper presents findings from a systematic analysis of stolen goods markets,
based upon scholarly research and criminological theory, with a toolkit for
implementing Sutton’s Market Reduction Approach (MRA). The MRA has been
implemented in several UK police forces including Kent, Thames Valley, the
Metropolitan Police, Derbyshire, Manchester and West Mercia. Other forces use
MRA techniques, while Nottinghamshire and Cheshire currently seek to build it into
routine policing. Independent academic evaluators, commissioned by the Home
Office to evaluate the MRA in 3 police force areas: Kent, Greater Manchester and
West Mercia, found MRA theory to be sound, referring positively to police using this
report as ‘The Sutton Bible’. This Primary Research Paper presents important
analysis.
1
Mike Sutton is Reader in Criminology and Director of Nottingham Centre for Study and
Reduction of Hate Crimes at Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham England. Mike Levi is
Professor of Criminology at Cardiff University, Wales. Sarah Hodgkinson is Lecturer in
Criminology at Leicester University, England.