Political Evolution of Situational Crime Prevention in England and Wales (From Crime Prevention Policies in Comparative Perspective, P 38-61, 2009, Adam Crawford, ed. - See NCJ-229306)

• NCJ Number: 229308
• Author(s): Tim Hope
• Date Published: 2009
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: Willan Publishing
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Collected Work
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This chapter explores the evolution of situational prevention as a "particularly English" contribution to crime prevention technologies and practices.

Abstract

This chapter explains how and why situational prevention has found a particularly favorable reception in parts of England since the late 1970s. In assessing the impact of situational crime prevention in relation to the significant reduction of property offenses committed since the mid-1990s, the different modes of regulation and ways by which governmental strategies have worked through, and been constrained by local authorities, the private sector (notably car manufacturers and the security industry) and private citizens is highlighted. It discusses both the limitations of the direct role of central government and local authorities and the pivotal influence of shifts in housing tenure, developments in the security market and the built environment, as well as the increased privatized demand for personal security. While situational prevention appears to have had a significant impact on levels of property crime, it also has served to exacerbate inequalities of security, while potentially increasing demands for personal, domestic, and parochial security. The peculiarly British experience, in which situational approaches have dominated implementation, might offer a warning to or act as a source of inspiration for other European countries. Figure, notes, and references