Development of Crime Prevention: Issues and Limitations (From Communities and Crime Reduction, P 236-245, 1988, Tim Hope and Margaret Shaw, eds. -- See NCJ-118256)

• NCJ Number: 118270
• Author(s): K Heal; G Laycock
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Her Majesty's Stationery Office
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

Crime prevention efforts in England and Wales have increased in recent years and are showing the need to confront three crucial issues: the relationship between social and situational measures, the displacement of crime, and the implementation of preventive measures.

Abstract

Although primary prevention includes both social and situational measures, recent efforts have focused largely on situational measures against crime. However, situational measures like locks are both unattractive in themselves and are viewed as favoring those who can afford security at the expense of those less able to protect themselves. Thus, attention is now swinging back to social measures focusing on such areas as promoting respect for moral values, reducing criminogenic inequalities, and providing programs for alienated youths. The issue of crime displacement is also central to discussions of crime prevention, particularly situational prevention. Displacement is complex and varies in its extent and nature by crime and situation. The risk of displacement can be reduced by several means, however. Finally, implementation of prevention measures is receiving increasing attention. The view that the police are responsible for crime prevention is still widespread, and the general public needs re-education to change this view. In doing this, a balance is needed between promoting good security behavior and not alarming the individual excessively. 14 references.