Reducing the Illicit Trade in Endangered Wildlife

Abstract

The market reduction approach is a crime reduction strategy that aims to reduce and disrupt stolen goods markets, in addition to reducing theft levels by making it more risky for thieves to sell stolen property. Initially, the concept has shown promise in England with regard to reducing traditional forms of property-related crime as well as disrupting certain types of stolen goods markets. Additionally, strides have been made using property as a unit of analysis rather than traditional foci of attention when examining crime patterns and designing tactical responses. In line with the 2005 United Nations program of work on transnational and organized crime, this article uses the specific example of the illegal trade of endangered flora and fauna to explore how the market reduction approach can be expanded beyond its current use into the realm of nontraditional types of property crime.