NCJ Number
133052
Date Published
1991
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This is the introductory chapter to papers presented at a conference entitled "Crime in Europe," held at the University of York in September 1988.
Abstract
The chapter first sets the whole collection of papers in context as a contribution to developments and discussions in and about late-20th-century Europe. It then highlights current themes in the area of crime both generally and as they are illustrated in the papers. The chapter finally outlines some of the problems and policy issues featured in a European crime agenda. Three major themes emerged at the conference: convergence, diversity, and change. Regarding convergence, policymakers view the crime problems in their various countries similarly. This is due to the international nature of some crimes, the common social influences that bear on human behavior, and the cross-fertilization of criminal justice priorities such as concern for crime victims. Although European nations have common crime problems, their criminal justice systems and policies are markedly diverse. There are increasing social changes in the nations of Europe, ranging from the women's movement to the aging of the population and the movement of people in search of work and political freedom. The new agenda that pertains to crime in Europe features criminological research and crime policy.