`Crime prevention - what works?' Embargo: 00.01 hours Thursday, 18 October 2007 (18/10/07)
Leading thinkers and policy makers critically consider different approaches to crime prevention in the latest edition of Criminal Justice Matters, the quarterly magazine of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at King's College London.
The Director of the Social Exclusion Taskforce, Naomi Eisenstadt, in a rare interview, says `There is a real balance to be struck between what is to be gained by criminalising parents and finding the right sort of incentives that get people to behave in ways that we know are good for their children'. She sets out a vision of `progressive universalism' arguing that `What we need is a universal service, both for adults and for children, that is more sensitive to the signs and signals that there might be a problem, before the problem becomes so serious'.
Professor Barry Goldson of Liverpool University argues that `early intervention encourages child criminalisation as distinct from crime prevention'. He says that `Children and young people face judgement, and are exposed to intervention, not only on the basis of what they have done, but what they might do, who they are or who they are thought to be'.
The former head of the Youth Justice Board, Professor Rod Morgan, considers if the new Department of Children Schools and Families has the capacity and motivation to deliver a more preventative approach to youth crime. He says that `If the early prevention budget is allocated formulaically by the DCSF the likelihood is that the approach will be adopted within the local authorities...the risk is that the truly difficult kids will be labelled persistent young offenders and ratcheted through the criminal justice system at the grand age of 10.'
Professor David L. Olds of the University of Colorado presents the findings of evaluation research into a programme of pre-natal and infancy home visiting by nurses aimed at improving the health of mothers and children and their future life prospects in the United States. Professor Olds notes that while the impact of the programme, which, is currently being piloted in England, `may be diminished in societies with more extensive health and social welfare systems than in the US, it is possible that the programme may have comparable effects for subgroups that do not make good use of those other services and resources that are available to them'.
Karen Clarke of the University of Manchester looks at the progress of the government's flagship Sure Start programme. She says it has had limited effects and argues that there needs to be a greater focus on `the material inequalities which make parenting in poor areas such a difficult task'.
Researchers from the police college of Finland and Professor Steve Tombs of Liverpool John Moores University and Dr Dave Whyte of Liverpool University consider approaches to preventing corporate crime. They argue that situational crime prevention methods should be used to develop more effective strategies for dealing with corporate crime.
Dr Colin Rogers of the University of Glamorgan highlights research looking at the use of alley-gates in crime prevention. He notes that they have positively influenced resident's perceptions about levels of crime and anti-social behaviour, but that before they are introduced more widely policy makers should `carefully consider the ramifications and associated costs'.
Former Home Office civil servant and lecturer at St Mary's University College, Nic Groobridge argues that CCTV should not be such an important part of current crime prevention strategy. He concludes that CCTV `is no panacea' saying that `The visual nature of CCTV output is alluring but it is a mirage. Cameras may not lie but their supporters are very economical with the truth'.
Finally Professor Mike Hough of King's College London, who previously worked in the Home Office research department, critiques the current approach to the evaluation of crime reduction schemes. He says that `What works evaluations have lost sight of the fact that work with offenders is a human art as well as - or as much as - a technology' and calls for a broader more inclusive approach.
Copies of articles in the latest edition of CJM, are available on the CCJS website, www.crimeandjustice.org.uk or from .
Richard Garside, Director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, which publishes Criminal Justice Matters, said:
`The popular debate about crime prevention is often so narrow that people often find it difficult to think beyond locks and bolts on windows and doors, CCTV, and keeping troubled children under surveillance from an early age.
This new issue of Criminal Justice Matters makes clear that serious thinking about prevention involves a much wider set of issues, including the way that society itself is currently organised.'
Contact:
Enver Solomon, Deputy Director the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies: 0207 848 1997; 07939 221 381
Notes to editors:
- Criminal Justice Matters is the quarterly magazine of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, an independent charity based at King's College. The views expressed in the magazine do not necessarily represent those of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies.
- The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies is an independent charity based at King's College London. It was established in 1931 and aims to inform and educate about all aspects of crime and the criminal justice system from an objective standpoint. It encourages and facilitates healthy debate and understanding of the complex nature of issues concerning crime.
- The full list of articles is as follows:
EDITORIAL - PREVENTION
Rebecca Roberts and Enver Solomon put this
issue in context.
HOME VISITING NURSES - PREVENTING CRIME BY
IMPROVING PRE-NATAL AND INFANT HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT
David L Olds looks at how pre-natal and early years care can play a role in crime prevention.
PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION WITH YOUNG CHILDREN: THE SURE START PROGRAMME
Karen Clarke suggests that the focus of Sure Start programmes on poor parenting ignored the effect of poverty on families.
CHILD CRIMINALISATION AND THE MISTAKE OF EARLY INTERVENTION
Barry Goldson asserts that history has taught us that diversion is more effective than intervention.
YOUTH JUSTICE: REARRANGING THE DECKCHAIRS OR REAL REFORM?
Rod Morgan contends that the Brown government has the capacity and motivation to deliver a more preventative approach to youth crime.
A NEW APPROACH TO `DYSFUNCTIONAL' BRITAIN
Iain Duncan Smith MP outlines the proposals of the Social Justice Policy Group to address the problems of social breakdown in the UK.
NIPPING CRIME IN THE BUD: DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH AND INTERVENTION IN INFANCY
Ros Burnett discusses the thinking behind research on very early risk factors and looks at the ethics of interventions in infancy.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PREVENTING CRIME
Adam Crawford charts the highs and lows of the government's relationship with crime prevention.
REDUCING VICTIMISATION AND FOCUSING PUBLIC SPENDING WHERE IT WORKS
Irvin Waller sets out why prevention is always more effetive than deterrence.
LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PICTURE: AN INTERVIEW WITH NAOMI EISENSTADT
Enver Solomon and Roger Grimshaw of CCJS talked to Naomi Eisenstadt, Director of the Social Exclusion Taskforce.
ALLEY-GATES: PREVENTING CRIME OR ISOLATING COMMUNITIES?
Colin Rogers looks at the pros and cons of alley-gates.
NEW WINE IN OLD BOTTLES - CHARTING THE PROGRESS OF LABOUR'S CRIME PREVENTION POLICY
Daniel Gilling argues that there are even stronger reasons now for implementing the recommendations of the 1991 Morgan Report.
TAKEN IN BY CCTV TECHNOLOGY
Nic Groombridge argues that CCTV should not be such an important part of current crime prevention strategy.
HOW DO WE FIND OUT WHAT WORKS?
Mike Hough questions the thinking behind current evaluation of crime reduction schemes and calls for a broader, more inclusive approach.
MAPPING OUT CRIME PREVENTION
Lisa Tompson describes the many ways crime mapping can be used to prevent crime and how it is being applied in new, previously untried areas.
LOCKING UP THE VICTIM - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POLICY LOOKS IN THE WRONG DIRECTION
Greta Squire argues that the benefits to domestic violence victims of `sanctuary schemes' and `panic rooms' in their own homes have been exaggerated.
PREVENTING CORPORATE CRIME
Anne Alvesalo, Steve Tombs, Erja Virta and Dave Whyte argue that situational crime prevention should be used to prevent corporate crime.
DEBUNKING THE MYTH OF DRUGS AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR
Frank Warburton argues that government strategy does not reflect the complexity of drug crime.
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