NCJ Number
55724
Date Published
1975
Length
58 pages
Annotation
THE COSTS, CAUSES, AND MEANS OF PREVENTING VANDALISM ARE PRESENTED IN THIS REPORT FOR POLICE FROM TYNE AND WEAR COUNTIES, GREAT BRITAIN.
Abstract
PRODUCED TO SUPPORT A POLICE CONFERENCE ON VANDALISM THE REPORT PRESENTS YEARLY COSTS OF VANDALISM FOR LOCAL TYNE AND WEAR AREAS AS VARYING FROM 1.3 MILLION TO 3 MILLION POUNDS, DUE LARGELY TO ARSON. FINDINGS OF VARIOUS VANDALISM RESEARCHERS ARE USED. MOTIVES DISCUSSED FOR VANDALISM INCLUDE LOOTING OR BURNING FOR MATERIAL GAIN (PERPETRATED BY ADULTS AS WELL AS JUVENILES), DESTRUCTION FOR IDEOLOGICAL REASONS OR INCIDENTAL TO CHILDREN'S PLAY, REVENGE, AND MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION WROUGHT BY DISAFFECTED ADOLESCENT GROUPS. A DISCUSSION OF UNDERLYING VANDALISM CAUSES ALLEGES THAT LARGE, HIGH APARTMENT BUILDINGS LACKING PRIVACY ARE MOST FREQUENTLY VANDALIZED. SUCH DWELLINGS DO NOT GIVE RESIDENTS A FEELING OF OWNERSHIP AND HENCE ARE NOT DEFENDED OR RESPECTED. MOREOVER, LACK OF COMMUNITY IS ALLEGED TO BE THE GREATEST CONTRIBUTOR TO VANDALISM, AND PUBLIC PLANNING CAN HINDER OR DESTROY IT. VANDALISM IS ALSO LINKED TO THE IMPERSONAL, BORING CONDITIONS OF CITY LIFE, POOR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, POVERTY, AND A LACK OF LEISURE ACTIVITIES. APPROACHES INCLUDE IGNORING THE PROBLEM, INCREASING SECURITY, PERSUADING VANDALS TO FIND OTHER ACTIVITIES, PUBLIC EDUCATION, DETERRENCE, REMOVING UNDERLYING CAUSES, AND IMPROVING AND MAINTAINING BUILDING APPEARANCES. REFERENCES, PICTURES, AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED.