NCJ Number
154514
Date Published
1995
Length
81 pages
Annotation
Because burglary has become an increasing source of concern in England, police forces have adopted various strategies to combat burglary, and three such strategies are described.
Abstract
Operation Bumblebee, adopted by the Metropolitan Police Service, is a high-profile antiburglary strategy. Operation Gemini, introduced by the Gloucestershire Constabulary, is directed at both burglary and motor vehicle crime, and some of its features are similar to those of Operation Bumblebee. The Hampshire Constabulary has not adopted a high-profile strategy for dealing with burglary but instead has implemented organizational and procedural changes designed to affect its response to burglary and other crime. An analysis of these strategies demonstrated commonalities; all three adopted a proactive, intelligence-based response to burglary. Variations in implementation reflected each strategy's clarity and coherence, police force size and structure, and tensions between central and local control over setting priorities and allocating resources. A well-defined, high-profile burglary prevention strategy resulted in greater uniformity in police working practices. Benefits were derived from the use of intelligence and the targeting of offenders. In particular, dedicated police squads were important in the success of both Operations Bumblebee and Gemini. The success of high-profile antiburglary strategies was also attributed to publicity campaigns and media coverage. Lack of resources was identified as the major constraining factor in the police response to burglary. Implications of the three burglary prevention strategies for practice are discussed. 11 references, 9 tables, and 9 figures