NCJ Number
209940
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: 2005 Pages: 41-52
Date Published
2005
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article reports on evaluation findings for the burglary-reduction project in Hartlepool, England, which was implemented under the Home Office's Reducing Burglary Initiative (RBI).
Abstract
Hartlepool was chosen for detailed study because of the variety of interventions used and because of its demonstrated success in burglary outcomes and the achievement of project objectives. Hartlepool had two offender-based interventions: diversionary schemes for youth and supervision/treatment for young offenders. Four situational crime prevention interventions included the installation of alley gates, various forms of target-hardening, community development, and education and awareness campaigns. All of the interventions were coordinated by two part-time burglary-reduction coordinators whose primary responsibility was community development. Evaluators made regular visits to Hartlepool between 1999 and 2001 to interview key personnel and collect information on costs. The effect on burglary in the area was assessed by quantitative analysis of burglary data supplied by police for 2 years before and 2 years after the start of the project. The evaluation found that burglary was reduced and changes occurred in the geographic patterns of burglary incidents. The density of the burglary pattern was reduced, and the mean distance between burglary locations increased in the period immediately after the project began. These trends continued for 2 years. Hartlepool met its target of reducing burglary by 25 percent in the first 2 years. A cost-benefit analysis found that benefits were more than double costs. Keys to success were the efficient use of existing resources and the selection of targets appropriate to the amount of investment and the needs of the area. 7 tables, 3 figures, and 12 references