NCJ Number
59893
Journal
Home Office Research Bulletin Issue: 7 Dated: (1979) Pages: 31-35
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
ALTERNATIVE MEASURES FOR THE PREVENTION OF PROPERTY CRIMES ARE PRESENTED IN THIS BRITISH ARTICLE, WITH REFERENCE TO THE ROLE PLAYED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES AND SPECIALIZED CRIME PREVENTION PERSONNEL.
Abstract
MEASURES FOR THE REDUCTION OF PROPERTY CRIMES ARE EXPENSIVE, BUT MANY PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SHOWN NO HESITATION TO SPEND MONEY FOR SECURITY SYSTEMS THAT HAVE PROVEN INEFFECTIVE; WITH CAREFUL PLANNING THE AVAILABLE FUNDS COULD BE SPENT ON BETTER SYSTEMS. THE PURCHASE OF SECURITY SYSTEMS IS A GAMBLE ON THE WAY IN WHICH A SPECIFIC SECURITY NEED WILL CHANGE BETWEEN THE TIME OF PLANNING AND THE ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM. FOR EXAMPLE, THE EXPENDITURE OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO STUDY AND PREVENT CAR THEFT MAY BE A MISTAKE IF EVERYONE IS USING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE. SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY MUST BE PROPERLY USED, AND IMPROVED DELIVERY SYSTEMS AS PROVIDED BY INSURANCE COMPANIES CAN ASSIST IN IMPROVING PROTECTIONS AT COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SITES. THE BRITISH HOME OFFICE AND THE BRITISH INSURANCE ASSOCIATION SHOULD AGREE ON CHANGES IN INSURANCE PRACTICES, INCLUDING THE SURVEY OF ALL PROPERTIES BY AN INSURANCE SURVEYOR OR A POLICE CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER. THEFT INSURANCE PREMIUMS WOULD BE DETERMINED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER'S WILLINGNESS TO COMPLY WITH SPECIFIED SECURITY STANDARDS. REQUIREMENTS FOR BURGLARY PREVENTION SYSTEMS COULD BE INCORPORATED IN THE BUILDING CODE, WITH INCREASED DEMAND FOR SYSTEMS CAUSING A REDUCTION IN THEIR COST. ADDITIONAL METHODS OF CRIME PREVENTION INCLUDE THE AVAILABILITY OF INCREASED POLICE PROTECTION TO PERSONS WHO PAY A PREMIUM TO THE STATE AND THE REDUCED USE OF CURRENCY FOR PAYROLLS AND PURCHASES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)