NCJ Number
149304
Date Published
1994
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This report evaluates the impact that the Safer Cities Project, initiated in England by the Home Office, has had on reducing burglary rates in selected cities.
Abstract
Burglary prevention measures adopted under the Safer Cities plan have included target hardening of victims, in hot spots, and for those deemed at risk. In some cities, whole areas have been hardened. In some locations, target hardening has been supplemented by publicity, property marking, and community development. Following a general discussion of sites chosen for the project and methods used to reduce burglary, this report describes each specific city project in terms of the area in which it was implemented, the pre-implementation burglary rate, other initiatives operating in the area at the same time, the nature of the crime prevention measures taken, outcomes, and costs. From these analyses, researchers have concluded that whole area target hardening can reduce local burglary rates, at least in the short term. While victim- centered hardening may prevent revictimization, it does not seem to affect area burglary rates. Target hardening of those thought to be at risk of victimization seemed to have no effect on burglary rates, while area-based packages of measures aimed at burglary reduction were successful only where small areas received fairly intensive interventions. 8 tables, 2 figures, and 30 references