Residential armed robbery in Ghana: Application of routine activities theories

This study utilized Routine Activities theory to explain deterrent and motivating factors associated with residential armed robbery in Ghana. Although several studies have examined crime through the lenses of Routine Activities theory, none such studies have been dedicated to the study of residential armed robbery in Ghana. This study, therefore, attempts to fill that void by applying Routine Activities theory to the study of residential armed robbery. This research samples 56 of armed robbers in three selected prisons of contemporary Ghana to provide a fuller criminological and descriptive analysis of the offence, the offenders, motivation and guardianship to committing residential armed robbery. Findings indicate substantial evidence that motivated offenders were deterred from violating hardened targets with the presence of capable guardianship. Limitations and suggestions for further research are discussed as well.