Social and Community Crime
Prevention
These emphasise the potential of the They aim to remove conditions that
offender and their social context, not predispose individuals to crime in the
policing. first place.
Longer-term strategies attempt to tackle root causes of offending not just
removing opportunities. Causes of crime are often rooted in social conditions,
for example:
- Poverty
- Poor housing
- Unemployment
Social reforms address these issues even if it isn’t
their primary focus. Solutions
E.g. Policies aiming to have full
employment with reduced crime
Examples of long-term strategies that aim
as a side effect.
to tackle social and individual causes of
crime include:
- Outreach programs
Crime and - Education
Deviance - - Youth clubs
Social and
Community
Crime CASE STUDY: The Perry Preschool Project
Prevention Aimed at disadvantaged black children in Michigan.
3-4 year olds offered a two year intellectual
enrichment programme where they also
received home visits. Study shows a
lower crime rate amongst those
who took the programme.
Evaluation
- Approaches take the nature and
definition of crime for granted.
- Focuses on low-level and/or
interpersonal crimes of violence like
speeding, vehicle crime and antisocial
behaviour.
- Disregards crimes of the powerful and
environmental crimes.
Prevention
These emphasise the potential of the They aim to remove conditions that
offender and their social context, not predispose individuals to crime in the
policing. first place.
Longer-term strategies attempt to tackle root causes of offending not just
removing opportunities. Causes of crime are often rooted in social conditions,
for example:
- Poverty
- Poor housing
- Unemployment
Social reforms address these issues even if it isn’t
their primary focus. Solutions
E.g. Policies aiming to have full
employment with reduced crime
Examples of long-term strategies that aim
as a side effect.
to tackle social and individual causes of
crime include:
- Outreach programs
Crime and - Education
Deviance - - Youth clubs
Social and
Community
Crime CASE STUDY: The Perry Preschool Project
Prevention Aimed at disadvantaged black children in Michigan.
3-4 year olds offered a two year intellectual
enrichment programme where they also
received home visits. Study shows a
lower crime rate amongst those
who took the programme.
Evaluation
- Approaches take the nature and
definition of crime for granted.
- Focuses on low-level and/or
interpersonal crimes of violence like
speeding, vehicle crime and antisocial
behaviour.
- Disregards crimes of the powerful and
environmental crimes.
