We propose a static model of agriculture household behaviour and incorporate two behavioural aspects in it-namely altruistic tendencies and perceptions related to crime. We use a game theoretic framework, based upon the standard agricultural household model proposed by Singh et al. (World Bank Econ Rev 1:149–179, 1986) which is well suited for a rural agricultural setting in a developing country like India. The results of the model show that altruism deters perception of crime in regions with comparatively low expenditure on crime reducing activities, and vice-versa. We empirically test the results of the theoretical model by using the India Human Development Survey-II for the year 2011–2012. The instrumental variable regression results validate our main hypothesis affirming the potential role of social capital in crime mitigation for states with weaker institutions.