Topic 5 - Crime Prevention

Topic 5 - Crime Prevention

1. Wilson and Kelling

   • Broken Windows Theory
     • The theory that a neighbourhood in disrepair signals that criminal activity is tolerated in the area. By cracking down on quality-of-life crimes, police can reclaim the neighbourhood and encourage law-abiding citizens to live and work there
   • Programme
     • Increased foot patrols in New Jersey
     • Should focus on communities on the tipping point
     • The police viewed this as a punishment and the chiefs thought it reduced response time to more serious crimes
   • Review after 5 years
     • Residents in these areas with foot patrols reported that they felt more secure and did not hide indoors
     • In communities when residents feel safe, they are more likely to be outside = less likely to commit crimes
     • People will be more likely to challenge criminal behaviour or call the police
     • Officers on patrol contributed to public order. They set up informal rules that regular minor offenders followed as they had a personal relationship with the officer
       • Drunks could sit on stoops but not lie down
       • Drinking was not allowed on main streets but side streets
       • Bottles had to be in paper bags
       • Strangers were moved on if they couldn't explain what they were doing
       • These informal rules were acknowledged by locals and helped the patrols keep order

2. Newman: Defensible Space

   • Zone of territorial influence
     • There should be markers to show that the area is private
   • Opportunities for surveillance
     • The physical layout of the building should mean that intruders can be easily stopped
   • Image
     • High-rise buildings are similar and lack individuality or personalisation
   • Milieu
     • Refers to the surroundings of the building or the setting: Buildings set in open spaces often attract vandalism more than those organised round more personal spaces such as courtyards.

3. Bratton: Zero Tolerance Policy In New York

   • Sent out officers to carry out sweeps where people washed windows when cars stopped was known to happen. They arrested everyone they saw doing this
   • In 1992 arrest for serious crimes went down by 25% he was quick to take credit for this statistic due to the zero tolerance policy.

4. Brown: CCTV in Town Centres

   • Put CCTV in Birmingham, Newcastle and Kings Lynn.
   • Burglaries reduced by 56% Criminal damage fell by 34%
   • Burrows
     • Reported that the addition of CCTV in the underground did cause crime to fall by 38% but only 25% in others. This shows the displacement of crime

5. Ernest-Jones: Eyes on Posters

   • Put posters featuring either eyes or flowers in a uni cafeteria
   • Eye posters led to a 50% reduction in littering regardless of verbal message included on the poster