Prevention of Domestic Burglary (From Handbook of Crime Prevention and Community Safety, P 417-457, 2005, Nick Tilley, ed, -- See NCJ-214069)

• NCJ Number: 214085
• Author(s): Niall Hamilton-Smith; Andrew Kent
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 41 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This chapter presents evidence on the effectiveness of different crime prevention techniques aimed at reducing domestic burglary, focusing specifically on programs in England and Wales.

Abstract

The main observation is that despite the research literature concerning “what works” in reducing domestic burglary, there is still much uncertainty concerning the most effective measures. Domestic burglary is described as one of the most significant problems across much of the developed world and one of the most common and serious crimes in England and Wales, accounting for 6 to 8 percent of all crime in the area. The central government in England and Wales has launched a number of programs designed to reduce domestic burglary. The Reducing Burglary Initiative (RBI) was one of the most significant program involving more than 240 locally based projects. Before addressing specific evaluation research concerning “what works” in burglary prevention, the authors identify the common focus of burglary prevention work as well as the general issues to be addressed in the development of burglary prevention initiatives. The evidence concerning the effectiveness of situational crime prevention strategies is reviewed, particularly drawing on evaluation research from the RBI projects. Different burglary reduction strategies focus on different measures: (1) physical reduction strategies rely on increased locks and physical barriers; (2) “increase the risk” strategies focus on the perception of risk and include the use of burglar alarms, lighting, and other environmental measures; (3) “reducing rewards” strategies focus on removing the value of potential targets and include property marking and target removal; (4) provocation reduction strategies focus on limiting the influence of delinquent peers and rely on outreach programs and diversionary activities; and (5) “removing excuses” strategies focus on stimulating the conscience of offenders through the use of deterrent publicity and anti-social behavior orders. Supporting and complementary crime reduction strategies are reviewed before the authors identify some of the opportunities for extending and refining existing burglary prevention practices. Tables, notes, references