NCJ Number
208229
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 53-66
Date Published
2004
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper describes and evaluates two strategies used in the United Kingdom to reduce alcohol-related violence in downtown, night-time commercial areas, with a case study presented of one project.
Abstract
One strategy involved increased cooperation and communication between bar managers and the police. The second strategy consisted of deploying high-visibility police units in identified "hotspot" areas. The primary aim of the case study was to develop a coordinated strategy for reducing alcohol-related violence in pubs and nightclubs across Nottinghamshire. The project relied on an analysis of police data to determine the extent and nature of the problems and how to respond to them. This study analyzed the project's implementation with the "SARA" process. "Scanning" was conducted to determine whether there was a problem with alcohol-related violence; "analysis" was performed to identify the conditions linked to the identified problems; "response" involved the implementation of crime-reduction strategies to counter the problems; and "assessment" examined measures of intervention effectiveness. One of the interventions was working closely with alcoholic-beverage licensees to install security hardware. The other strategy was to concentrate police personnel in the "hotspots" during the time periods when offenses were most frequent. There was an overall reduction in criminal assaults over the project year when compared to the baseline year; however, incidents in the project year were still generally concentrated in the same premises as in the baseline year. The high-visibility policing was effective in small areas were police personnel were able to cover the targeted premises; however, in larger areas, officers were likely to be called away from target areas to respond to other incidents. 3 tables, 3 figures, and 38 notes