NCJ Number
219814
Journal
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2007 Pages: 167-178
Date Published
July 2007
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the results of an evaluative study of the Safer Homes initiative to improve performance regarding domestic burglary in a police force in the north of England.
Abstract
Three provisional conclusions were drawn from this study. First, the process of central refinement of best practice followed by the production of a best practice guide seems an effective way to generate standards that stimulate improved practice and allow for audit of practice. Second, the implementation of substantial organizational change does benefit from a short-term dedicated officer whose concerns must include sustainability of the program after the period of office. Lastly, it does seem that the reorganization in this particular initiative, based on the Good Practice Guide, did have an effect on not just the process of delivery but the stated outcomes and the positive perceptions of recipients and providers. The reduction of domestic burglary remains a government priority as it is one of a small number of serious crimes that can have significant and traumatic effects on victims, their friends, and families. The Association of Chief Police Officers commissioned the development of a National Good Practice and Tactical Options Guide which drew together examples of good practice from most of the 43 Home Office-funded police forces in the United Kingdom. The Good Practice Guide led directly to the Safer Homes project that is the focus of this paper. The main objective of the Safer Homes project was for improvement of service to victims of domestic burglary, to increase the level of sanctioned detections, to achieve a reduction in the number of domestic burglary incidents, and improve the relationship between crime reduction agencies. Figures, references