Socio-Economic and Demographic Determinants of Property Crimes in Pakistan: A Case Study of the Punjab

This study is an empirical attempt to explore the effects of various socio-economic, demographic and law enforcement variables on the property crimes of Punjab, Pakistan. In this regard a panel data set from the year 2010 to 2014 of 34 districts of Punjab has been used to investigate the relationship between Dependent and Independent Variables. Haussmann’s test suggested that Fixed Effect Model is more appropriate to be used in empirical procedure .Empirical findings have explored a positive and significant relationship of population growth, economic activity, untraced property crime rate, police strength and proclaimed offenders while the influence of literacy rate indicate a negative and significant association with property crime rate of the Punjab province of Pakistan. Findings of the study are way forward for policy makers and to bring reforms i.e. controlling population, enhancing literacy rate, making reforms in law enforcement institutions and providing more security into the area where there is more economic prosperity.