This essay will focus on three theories in relation to crime prevention; Situational Crime Prevention theory, Community Crime Prevention theory and the Developmental Crime Prevention theory – in terms of their effectiveness and how they are supposed to work. We will also look at whether the type of ‘crime prevention’ approach is the real solution to reduce the problem of offending.
Crime prevention is an idea that has been around since crime existed and has evolved over the years. Although its definition varies, Ekblom defined crime prevention as an “intervention in the causes of criminal and disorderly events to reduce the risks of their occurrence and/or the potential seriousness of their consequences ”. Newer definitions have also included …show more content…
Starting with its issues with human rights, situational crime prevention sometimes goes against human right values because of the restrictions it imposes on basic rights . For example, privacy and liberty are violated when public places are put under surveillance to monitor the activities of people . Consequently, this develops fear in the society as it gives the impression of living in a dangerous society and that the control of crime is beyond the government …show more content…
This can be described by community crime prevention theory, which aims to address “social, economic and cultural factors that are known to influence the levels of offending ” with the help of local agencies in residential neighbourhoods . By attacking the root causes of crime; the social ills of the society , this prevention technique aims to produce long-term improvements to community problems . Some of the measures include neighbourhood watch programs and community policing.
The benefits of community crime prevention are clear as opposed to situational prevention methods. For example by encouraging engagement between the authorities and the community, there would not longer be a sense of fear in the community. In other words, there would be a greater sense of trust . Furthermore, social schemes such as youth clubs and housing allocation could also help improve the standard of living of some communities and discourage offenders or potential offenders to commit crime
Crime prevention is an idea that has been around since crime existed and has evolved over the years. Although its definition varies, Ekblom defined crime prevention as an “intervention in the causes of criminal and disorderly events to reduce the risks of their occurrence and/or the potential seriousness of their consequences ”. Newer definitions have also included …show more content…
Starting with its issues with human rights, situational crime prevention sometimes goes against human right values because of the restrictions it imposes on basic rights . For example, privacy and liberty are violated when public places are put under surveillance to monitor the activities of people . Consequently, this develops fear in the society as it gives the impression of living in a dangerous society and that the control of crime is beyond the government …show more content…
This can be described by community crime prevention theory, which aims to address “social, economic and cultural factors that are known to influence the levels of offending ” with the help of local agencies in residential neighbourhoods . By attacking the root causes of crime; the social ills of the society , this prevention technique aims to produce long-term improvements to community problems . Some of the measures include neighbourhood watch programs and community policing.
The benefits of community crime prevention are clear as opposed to situational prevention methods. For example by encouraging engagement between the authorities and the community, there would not longer be a sense of fear in the community. In other words, there would be a greater sense of trust . Furthermore, social schemes such as youth clubs and housing allocation could also help improve the standard of living of some communities and discourage offenders or potential offenders to commit crime