NCJ Number
118261
Date Published
1988
Length
15 pages
Annotation
British housing and housing policy are considered in terms of their implications for crime prevention strategies.
Abstract
Housing in Great Britain is of three types: owner-occupied housing, privately rented housing, and housing rented from the local government. Government policies have influenced the growth of different types of housing. Owner-occupied areas have generally had low rates of offenders, but relatively high offense rates, especially for burglary, household theft, and vehicle theft. Target hardening and neighborhood watch are among potential strategies for crime prevention in these areas. Private rental housing is increasingly located in marginal areas. In London this housing probably has high offender rates and is also a main location for drugs and prostitution. Few crime prevention areas have focused on this type of housing. Housing rented from local governments have high offender rates as well as high crime rates, although neighborhoods vary considerably. Research should identify variables for particular developments and the relationship of these variables to the effectiveness of specific interventions to prevent crime. The increasing privatization of public housing and the resulting increase in owner-occupied housing may reduce offender rates or produce differential offender rates within owner-occupied housing. Further research could focus on the likely criminogenic consequences of different policy options, but it should avoid a narrow focus that overlooks the broader social implications of policies that focus solely on reducing crime. 31 references.