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Staring eyes 'deter' Newcastle University bike thieves | Staring eyes 'deter' Newcastle University bike thieves |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Bike thefts have been reduced by putting pictures of staring eyes above cycle racks, researchers have found. | Bike thefts have been reduced by putting pictures of staring eyes above cycle racks, researchers have found. |
A team from Newcastle University decided to test the theory that people behave better when they think they are being watched. | A team from Newcastle University decided to test the theory that people behave better when they think they are being watched. |
For two years they studied crime rates at campus racks and found a drop of 62% at those which displayed eye posters. | For two years they studied crime rates at campus racks and found a drop of 62% at those which displayed eye posters. |
The crime-fighting idea is now being tested at various train stations by British Transport Police (BTP). | The crime-fighting idea is now being tested at various train stations by British Transport Police (BTP). |
For the first year the Newcastle team monitored bike thefts from all racks across campus for a control figure, then placed the eye signs in three locations, leaving the rest of the racks without signs. | For the first year the Newcastle team monitored bike thefts from all racks across campus for a control figure, then placed the eye signs in three locations, leaving the rest of the racks without signs. |
'Behave better' | 'Behave better' |
The idea for the research was inspired by a 2010 study which showed diners in a canteen were more likely to clear away their tray when there were eyes watching them. | The idea for the research was inspired by a 2010 study which showed diners in a canteen were more likely to clear away their tray when there were eyes watching them. |
Academics found that bike racks which had eyes placed above them experienced 62% fewer thefts than the previous year, while those without eyes saw thefts increase by 63%. | |
Lead researcher Prof Daniel Nettle, said: "We don't know exactly what is happening here but this just adds to the growing evidence that images of eyes can have a big impact on behaviour. | Lead researcher Prof Daniel Nettle, said: "We don't know exactly what is happening here but this just adds to the growing evidence that images of eyes can have a big impact on behaviour. |
"We think that the presence of eye images can encourage co-operative behaviour. One strong possibility is that the images of eyes work by making people feel watched. | "We think that the presence of eye images can encourage co-operative behaviour. One strong possibility is that the images of eyes work by making people feel watched. |
"We care what other people think about us, and as a result we behave better when we feel we are being observed." | "We care what other people think about us, and as a result we behave better when we feel we are being observed." |
Barry Sharp, from BTP's London North Area Crime Team, said: "Research shows that this sign has had some promising results at Newcastle University. | |
"We are always looking at new ways to tackle cycle theft at rail stations." | |
The findings have been published in the journal PLoS ONE. | The findings have been published in the journal PLoS ONE. |
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