Crime Reduction and Community Safety: Strategies and Policies

This essay explores the complex issue of crime reduction and community safety in the UK, focusing on the role of relevant agencies, public perception, and support for victims. It critically analyzes how agencies like the National Crime Agency and Territorial Police Forces deal with offenders, examining the effectiveness of various strategies like injunctions, criminal behavior orders, and community protection notices. The essay also delves into the factors influencing public perception of crime, highlighting the impact of media and personal experiences. Furthermore, it evaluates the impact of crime on victims and the support available to them, recommending improvements to enhance victim support services.

Crime reduction and Community Safety
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Table of Contents
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................3
Domestic Violence.....................................................................................................................3
3.1 Explain the main risk factors that are likely to introduce people to the cycle of anti-social
behaviour....................................................................................................................................3
3.2 Analyse the relationship between risk factors that are likely to introduce people to the
cycle of anti-social behaviour and the factors leading to crime.................................................4
3.3 Develop strategies to minimise risk factors for the community (show how people can
avoid committing the behaviour/crimes you describe, what help there is available and the
relevant legislation)....................................................................................................................6
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................7
Introduction................................................................................................................................7
Discussion..................................................................................................................................7
Conclusion................................................................................................................................10
Reference List..........................................................................................................................11
Appendix..................................................................................................................................13
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Task 1
Domestic Violence
3.1 Explain the main risk factors that are likely to introduce people to the cycle of anti-
social behaviour
Antisocial behaviour is activities which are harmful for the society and the individual. Anti
social behaviour is manifested through rowdy behaviour, vandalism, selling of drugs, making
loud noises, theft, inappropriate use of cars, street drinking, begging, dumping of rubbish or
spitting in public place, graffiti or others. Many times people abandon their vehicles in public
places or indulge into display of body parts abusively. Some of the anti social behaviour can
be seen in early childhood, while some are manifested in adult life.
The five main risk factors for such behaviour is – gender, genetic influence, biological
mediators which are unchangeable, while the major factor is social and family abuse in
early childhood. The common situation in which leads to antisocial behaviour is bullying at
school, colleges, and split family experiences.
Two frequent community based crimes are fire arm offences, and attacks with sharp
instruments and Drug abuse. Researches show that excessive visuals of violence in media
are one the cause of such behaviour. Minor ethnic communities in UK are economically poor.
Such condition often leads youths to leave studies and engage in criminal activities.
Availability of arms in grey market is another major cause of fire arm crime.
Young adults are often seen to be involved with drug abuse. Adolescent mental disorder,
educational failures, and parenting at young age are the major reasons of substance abuse.
People who are mentally weak and are unable to handle peer pressure, social competition and
stress take to addiction. Relationship problems, exposure to violent incidences and loneliness
forces teenagers to get dependent on drugs.
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Figure 1: Risk Factors for youth crime
Source: (Crim.cam.ac.uk, 2018)
3.2 Analyse the relationship between risk factors that are likely to introduce people to
the cycle of anti-social behaviour and the factors leading to crime
Antisocial behaviour is a vicious cycle which is often difficult to break. Cycle of antisocial
behaviour is also explained through Crime Triangle, where offender is the criminal, who
seeks an opportunity to do crime and that impact the victim. Children are vulnerable to
abuses either physically or sexually. Such kinds of children are extremely averted to the
society and the law since they have developed distrust over the law. Availability of arms
gives them free access to fire arms. Media also plays a vital role in triggering of anti social
behaviour. Young adults are exposed to multiple violent incidences through films, television
and internet. This exposure makes them habituated to violence and leads to fire arm violence.
Under the influence of drug people get involved in vandalism, fights in pubs and even
murders. Drug abuse has often been related to property crime, theft, rapes and violent
behaviour. Serial killers are often found to be under influence of drug. Many occasions drugs
have been found in the body of rape victims and sexually assaulted individuals.
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Fire arm offences often occur out of feeling of insecurity. This feeling of insecurity develops
from an experience of violent neighbourhood or strict laws in the community. Property theft
and car theft at gunpoint has increased.
Youths and teenagers often get involved in theft and robbery as they need money to purchase
drugs. Access to guns makes it easy for them to threat people for money. Often the abusers
are seen to form groups and go bigger crimes like bank robbery. People often lose life if
caught in between gunfire.
Opportunity Victim Victim
Offender
Figure 2: Crime Triangle
(Source: Wortley, et al, 2016)
According to Lawrence Cohen and Marcus Felson, crime happens when offender and victim
meet each other in an opportune moment and place, in absence of a guardian; crime is said to
be committed.
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CRIME
TRIANGLE

3.3 Develop strategies to minimise risk factors for the community (show how people can
avoid committing the behaviour/crimes you describe, what help there is available and
the relevant legislation)
Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 is used as guidance to design strategies
and policies to prevent criminal behaviour (Stephen, 2014). Prevention is better than cure and
some antisocial behaviour are so deep rooted that cure seems impossible. The measures
should be started with Child protection, awareness campaign and protection laws. It has to be
a combined effort of the Department of Law, community and Police service.
The most important strategy is to protect the children. Children are exposed to bullying in
schools and parks and other public places which reduce their self-esteem. In many occasion
parents or care taker reacts to the aggressive behaviour of the child and punish them without
knowing the real cause of such behaviour. More problems occur with introvert children who
are unable to express their feelings. They go into a state of depression and avoid social
gatherings (Juvonen,et al, 2014). Sexual abuse is one of the most common causes of violent
behaviour in adulthood. Any child abuse incidence must be reported to the local authority to
prevent further abuse to the same child or to other children. Sadists and psychopaths are
extremely difficult to spot in the community (Burton, et al, 2016.)
Awareness campaign in schools, community centre involving psychologists, doctors, teachers
and people from all strata of the society must come together under one platform to discuss the
issues and acquire better knowledge (Juvonen,et al, 2014). Number of activities can be
arranged in colleges like poster campaign on drug abuse, and bullying, to improve perception
about implication of substance abuse and emotional quotient of the young adults. Heavy
alcohol consumption has been the most common cause of vandalism and car abandonment.
Young adults who are into drug abuse should be sent to rehabilitation or enrolled for selective
and indicative program. Selective programme is to select the teenagers and young adults
who are at risk of substance abuse. Indicative program is designed for the youths who are
addicted to drugs.
Fire arm crime is related more to drug abuse. Access to gun is mostly through the drug
dealers and through grey market, which are illegal. Vigilance should be increased at ports
since UK can be accessed through sea easily. To reduce retaliations from victim forces must
keep in touch with them and support the family of the victims of previous violence.
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Task 2
Introduction
Increase in social crime is an area of mush challenge to the society and the police department.
Psychologists along with the help from police department have been doing extensive research
to understand such criminal behaviour. Criminology is that branch of science which deals
with the theories and models to find out the factors that give raise to antisocial behaviour so
that preventive measures can be taken to build a crime free society. Police department has
devised policies to control the crime through implementation of multiple laws. This essay
will discuss the measures adapted by the police department and the laws related to social
crime to improve community safety.
Discussion
Social safety is the main aim of the multiple agencies working in around Britain. The two
most important agencies are National Crime agency and Territorial police Forces. Apart
from these two agencies, another department is actively involved in the management of crime
is British Transport Police. The division led to better management. Every day is a challenge
for the agencies and everyday is new experience which needs lot of coordination among the
departments. The laws that guide the policies for control of crime are Anti-Social Behaviour,
Crime and Policing Act 2014, Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, Serious Organised
Crime and Police Act 2005.
4.1 Critically analyse how relevant agencies are dealing with offenders
The National Crime Prevention Council in 1990 defines crime prevention as an attitude and
activity, related to the reduction of threats from offenders and increase the safety and security
of the society to enhance the quality of life .Crime prevention activities are divided into three
categories punitive, corrective and protective (Kleck, et al, 2017). Prevention of crime is a
punitive measurement which includes the criminal laws, and court of law, and enforcement of
the laws. Failing such laws or proofs of criminal offences in the court leads to imprisonment.
The imprisonment can either be for a brief period or life imprisonment depending on the
degree of crime and as defined by the law. The corrective category is the method of changing
the behaviour of the individual through counselling, mentoring promotion of education and
providing employment opportunities (Kleck, et al, 2017). The police forces works in tandem
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with social workers and agencies that provide rehabilitation. Most of the social groups work
on drug abuses. Protective measure includes patrolling services to watch the local area and
arrange workshops for common people on self security, community policing, and public
educational program (Agnew, R., 2016).Child protection is the core concern for the police
department. In UK, crime against children has increased by 20 % over the last year
(hertfordshiremercur, A. and hertfordshiremercury, H. 2018). More than 50,000 sex crimes
have been reported to the police in 2016-2017 in Wales and England alone.
The Police department takes 6 steps to control the crime they are, Injunction, criminal
behaviour order, Community protection notice and orders, dispersal power, and closure of
premises (Kingston, 2017).Through these processes people are prohibited from entering
houses, buildings or public places where antisocial activity is ongoing and the place is chaotic
or life threat is expected. Notices and orders are used for environmental protection when such
laws are violated by organization or individual. Public spaces protection order is given in the
times of mass chaos in certain areas and people are prevented from entering such areas. Often
dispersal power is used to remove the object of offence or the offender from the place of
chaos (Heap, 2018). Injunction is usually a court order to prevent individual from repeating
antisocial behaviour and it is the duty and responsibility of the police department to ensure
implementation of the order. Criminal Behaviour order is meant for those who care causing
distress to the society or individual or is expected to engage in criminal activities. The order
has to be given by court when the court has enough evidence of proof of the accused. The
order lasts for 1 year for aged under 18 years, and more than 2 years or indefinite for adults
over 18 years of age (France, 2016.)
5.1 Analyse influences on public perception of crime
Public perception of crime describes the feeling of safety by individuals while travelling
alone, or at night. The individual perception may or may not match the recorded crime data of
the nation. A survey conducted in 2016 showed that 83.5 % of the UK residents showed
concern over safety which was different from the reported crime (Ons.gov.uk and
Ons.gov.uk, 2018). The figure below shows that public perception is influenced by multiple
factors. It can be self experience or information received from others, news published in news
paper or broadcasted in television. Television documentaries are often aimed at generating
awareness among the mass which also influence the perception of crime.
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Figure 2: Percentage of adult perception on National and Local Crime in England and
Wales
(Source: Crime survey for England and Wales, Office for national Statistics, 2016. 2018)
5.2 Evaluate the impact of crime on victims
Victims often lose trust on the system and law. The impact of crime ranges from loss of
personal property, to loss of self esteem or even loss of life. Heinous crimes against children
can cripple them for rest of the life. Loss of friend or relative or a family member becomes a
lifelong trauma. Vandalism causes huge loss of property and impact the economy of the
country.
5.3 Evaluate support available to victims and witnesses to recommend improvements.
Prevention of crime and ensuring safety for people is not the task of police alone. Reporting
in the form of telephonic information or written complain through mails need to be done.
Helpline numbers are available to report any threat by dialling 999 for emergency and 101 for
antisocial behaviour reporting. Recruitment of volunteers and community service assistants
will help to strengthen the service. Community partnership will also help change perception
on the victims. Patrolling vans in the local area are also meant for prompt help. Victim Help
lines and Victim contact schemes are available to help victims and witnesses of crime with
lawyers, and also help with rehabilitation of homeless victims.
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Conclusion
It can be concluded from the above discussion that social crime has increased over the years.
It antisocial behaviour is influenced by multiple factors and affects the children and adult
alike. Perception of crime is affected by experience, word of mouth or through news, which
may not match the exact recorded data. There are number of laws and acts to prevent and
punish antisocial. To prevent crime and make society safe community should work along
with the police Department. Any crime should be reported without fail, however trivial it
might be. Finally public awareness is required to protect children and young adults from
bullying and sexual harassment. Awareness campaign on drug abuse using street shows and
social media platform will also help. Safety is the concern for the society for healthy growth
of the nation and its people.
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Reference List
Agnew, R., 2016. A theory of crime resistance and susceptibility. Criminology, 54(2),
pp.181-211.
Burton, D. and Miner, M., 2016. Explaining Male Adolescent Perpetration of Sexual
Crimes. The Wiley Handbook on the Theories, Assessment and Treatment of Sexual
Offending.
Crime survey for England and Wales, Office for national Statistics, 2016 (2018).
France, A., 2016. Young people and anti-social behaviour. Routledge Handbook of Youth and
Young Adulthood, p.421.
Heap, V. and Dickinson, J., 2018. Public Spaces Protection Orders: a critical policy
analysis. Safer Communities.
hertfordshiremercur, A. and hertfordshiremercury, H. (2018). Child sex offences in Uttlesford
double in one year. [online] hertfordshiremercury. Available at:
https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/number-sex-crimes-
against-children-1064559 [Accessed 29 Jun. 2018].
Juvonen, J. and Graham, S., 2014. Bullying in schools: The power of bullies and the plight of
victims. Annual review of psychology, 65, pp.159-185.
Kingston, S. and Thomas, T., 2017. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act
2014: implications for sex workers and their clients. Policing and society, 27(5), pp.465-479.
Kleck, G. and Sever, B., 2017. Punishment and Crime: The Limits of Punitive Crime Control.
Routledge.
London.gov.uk (2018). [online] London.gov.uk. Available at:
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/20180123_final_pcc_gun_crime_findings_repo
rt.pdf [Accessed 29 Jun. 2018].
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Ons.gov.uk, A. and Ons.gov.uk, A. (2018). Public perceptions of crime in England and
Wales - Office for National Statistics. [online] Ons.gov.uk. Available at:
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/
publicperceptionsofcrimeinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2016 [Accessed 29 Jun. 2018].
Stephen, J.F., 2014. A history of the criminal law of England(Vol. 2). Cambridge University
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Wortley, R. and Townsley, M. eds., 2016. Environmental criminology and crime
analysis (Vol. 18). Taylor & Francis.
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Appendix
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