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An increase in the number of properties listed as short-term rentals on Airbnb in London is correlated with a rise in crimes like burglaries and street robberies, according to a comprehensive study.
Recent research has uncovered a direct link between the quantity of Airbnb listings and incidents of robberies and violent crimes reported to the police in various neighborhoods across London from 2015 to 2018.
A study conducted by the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania indicates that for every 10% rise in active Airbnb rentals, there could be an additional 1,000 robberies annually throughout London.
This study is published in Criminology.
Experts suggest that the rapid increase in crime rates alongside new rental listings points more towards increased opportunities for criminal activities rather than a breakdown of community cohesion—although both factors likely play a role.
“We explored various potential explanations, including changes in police presence, popular tourist areas, and even sporting events,” stated Dr. Charles Lanfear from Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology, who co-authored the research. “However, none altered our main finding that Airbnb rentals are linked to higher crime rates within London neighborhoods.”
2024-10-23 21:15:03
Original article available at phys.org