According to routine activities theory, which three elements must be present for a crime to occur?

Routine activities theory posits that three key elements must converge for a crime to take place: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and a lack of capable guardianship.

The presence of a motivated offender suggests that there is an individual who is willing to commit a crime, which can stem from various motivations such as financial gain, revenge, or thrill-seeking behavior.

A suitable target refers to something or someone that is deemed attractive to the offender due to its vulnerability or availability, making it an easy mark for criminal activity. This can include physical objects like a car or a house, or individuals who appear defenseless.

Lastly, the absence of capable guardians means that there are no effective protective measures in place, such as law enforcement, surveillance systems, or attentive witnesses, which would deter the motivated offender from acting.

This framework helps to understand that crime is not just a function of individual predispositions or psychological factors, but also of opportunity. Each of these components interacts; if one is missing, the likelihood of crime significantly decreases.