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What Works in Situational Crime Prevention? A Literature Review

NCJ Number
164129
Author(s)
L Nicholson
Date Published
1995
Length
74 pages
Annotation
Empirical research literature on crime prevention in the United Kingdom is examined, with emphasis on findings regarding the nature and impacts of situational crime prevention.
Abstract
The review focused on studies published since 1975. The analysis revealed that no universal solutions exist and that initiatives need to be developed for each context. Crime prevention strategies need to be tailored to particular crimes in specific locations. Using a variety of nonspecific approaches is far less likely to be effective than are precisely focused efforts tailored to a specific need. In addition, packages of crime prevention are more effective than single approaches. The most successful approaches are easy to establish and use and require little maintenance. Finally, evaluation research should receive more attention and become a central part of any new crime prevention package. Tables, appended methodological information, and approximately 150 references