NCJ Number
205514
Date Published
2004
Length
36 pages
Annotation
After reviewing data on the trends, risks, and costs of violent crime in England and Wales, this report presents the content of an action plan for countering violent crime along with recommendations for delivering the action plan.
Abstract
The action plan for reducing violent crime is based on improving support for victims of violent crime, better policing, more effective punishment, dealing with the causes of violent crime, and a partnership approach. Improvement in support for victims of violent crime includes additional funding that will support a national telephone help-line; establishment of a self-help group for the relatives and friends of homicide victims; measures for supporting vulnerable victims and witnesses; increased accessibility of victims to victim compensation funds; and improved information and advice for victims. To improve policing to counter violent crime, the action plan proposes increased funding for an additional 9,000 police recruits; a sustained boost for rural policing; improvement in police practices and techniques; the monitoring of police training to ensure compliance with highest standards; and improved efforts for controlling access to firearms. Enhanced efforts to punish violent crime include new powers to use electronic tagging of offenders following release from prison; increasing the number of offenders who successfully complete accredited offending behavior programs; and inform victims about the release arrangements for violent offenders. Efforts to identify and counter the causes of violent crime are focusing on improving efforts to prevent domestic violence and child abuse; providing early intervention for children and youth at risk for violent behavior; addressing alcohol and drug abuse, particularly in areas around pubs; and improvement in neighborhood conditions in deprived neighborhoods. In all of the previous areas, the strategy also provides for the development of working partnerships to reduce violent crime. The development of these partnerships is the focus of delivering the action plan. Appended discussion of crime measurement