NCJ Number
174582
Editor(s)
B Webb
Date Published
1997
Length
49 pages
Annotation
This report describes and assesses the impact of an initiative called Biting Back, which focused on developing and conducting a strategy for preventing repeat burglary and motor vehicle crime in the Huddersfield division of the West Yorkshire Police in England.
Abstract
The initiative was commissioned as part of the Police Operations Against Crime program of the Great Britain Home Office Police Research Group in October 1993. It ran from October 1994 until March 1996. The initiative aimed to identify the advantages, problems, and compromises involved in translating the prevention of repeat victimization from a project-based technique to a standard mode of crime prevention delivery across a large police division. The analysis of the project's results indicated that it had substantial success in helping reduce rates of domestic burglary and some success in reducing theft from motor vehicles. Domestic burglary declined by 30 percent; theft from motor vehicles declined by 20 percent. Levels of repeat domestic burglary declined. In addition, no data suggested that domestic burglary was displaced rather than prevented. The quality of service to victims also improved. Findings indicated that other police agencies wanting to implement such a program should quantify repeat victimization, routinely identify repeat victims, purchase equipment such as alarms for temporary installation with burglary victims, and train and provide oversight to police. Tables; figures; appended letter sent to victims, security equipment discount voucher, and additional results; list of other publications from the same organization; and 15 references