NCJ Number
134804
Editor(s)
J Bright
Date Published
1987
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This analysis of crime prevention policy and programming in Great Britain argues that crime prevention should be led by local governments rather than by the police, should be supported by investment in infrastructure and social facilities as an alternative to more spending on the criminal justice system, and should draw heavily on citizen views.
Abstract
National and local surveys revealing that most crime is unreported have produced growing interest in crime prevention. Until recently, the generally accepted assumption has been that the police have the main responsibility for crime prevention. However, the limitations of police crime prevention have also received recognition, with the experience of the Safe Neighborhoods Unit in London indicating that police beats are too large and police-community contacts too limited and unproductive for police to have the only role. A more useful framework would increase the role of local government and emphasize localized service provision, corporate management, interagency cooperation, and citizen participation. Policy should also focus on protecting the groups most at risk and providing victim services. It should also recognize that crime problems have been intensified by the withdrawal of resources from the depressed parts of our cities and that crime reduction might be expected to follow a return to levels of investment sufficient to sustain viable neighborhoods. 12 references