NCJ Number
94336
Date Published
1984
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Conventional policing that involves foot patrol, car patrol, and detective work is not likely to reduce crime in Great Britain; innovative policing that includes specialized patrols and targeting, a community and neighborhood orientation, and situational prevention holds promise.
Abstract
There is little evidence that increasing the number or frequency of foot patrols reduces crime or that car patrols are any more effective. Research also suggests that if enough personnel are available to process easily detectable crimes and question offenders about their other crimes, staff increases and technological improvements yield only marginal gains in clearance rates. Research, however, provides some support for several innovative approaches to the use of existing police resources. These include the use of community and neighborhood policing, more focused patroling, targeted surveillance of certain types of offenders, and the reduction of opportunities for crime through the use of the situational approach being developed by the British Home Office Police Department. 10 references.