University Crime Prevention Report: Theories and Strategies

This report delves into the realm of crime prevention, exploring various theories and strategies. It begins by defining crime and the role of criminologists in developing prevention theories, with a particular focus on social crime theory and its emphasis on societal factors such as poverty, education, and family structure. The report then transitions to situational crime prevention, specifically analyzing its application in addressing car theft in Australia. It examines the strategies employed to reduce car theft, including environmental design, security measures, and public awareness programs. The report also presents data and statistics related to car theft rates and the effectiveness of implemented prevention strategies, providing a comprehensive overview of crime prevention efforts and their impact.

Running head: CRIME PREVENTION AND THEORY
Crime prevention theories
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note

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Table of Contents
Answer to question 1:.................................................................................................................2
Answer to question 2 part A.......................................................................................................3
Answer of Question 2 part B......................................................................................................6
Reference:..................................................................................................................................8

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Answer to question 1:
Crime is an international subject that can occur at any place. The theory of crime
exists when certain anti-social activities take place or someone is inflicted due to such
activities. An attempt has been made by criminologists to deliver certain theories that can
prevent the chances of crime or criminal activities (Crawford and Evans 2017). Social crime
theory is one of them. A thorough analysis on the criminals reveals that there is a bonding
works in between the criminals and plays an important role regarding the triggering event.
Paul Friedman had, in his theory, concentrated on the developmental crime
prevention theory that is particularly dealing with the social intervention. Crime creates a
detrimental effect on the society and it has been observed that the victims have to face social
degradation after the crime. It is a potential threat to the society. According to the supporters
of the Social crime prevention theory, poverty, poor education, alcoholism and disturbed
family structure are responsible for commission of crime. This theory focussed on the
development of social structure and educating the youth so that they can distinguish the evil
and good.
McCord was of the view to prevent the child from criminal activities. Alcoholism
and drugs are the two main criteria of crime and the addiction regarding the same can be
observed in between the young generation. Proper study can prevent this challenging
behaviour of youths.
However, Welsh and Farrington has emphasised the societal structure and define a
balance in between the prevention and control. According to them, people should try to
overcome the political barrier for the proper implementation of criminal prevention policies.

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The main advantage of the Social theory is that this theory is concentrating on the
societal changes and attempt to prevent any type of child abuse. This theory is concentrating
on the behavioural change of a child and implements policies regarding the positive mentality
of the parents (Clarke and Bowers 2017).
There are certain risks regarding this theory. The theory has failed, to certain
extent, to implement their policies nationwide. It has been observed that the main targeted
area for the theory is the socially backward classes of people. It has failed to apply necessary
rulings for the protection of the child. The crime rate has not been reduced drastically.
The risks regarding the societal criminal mentality can be removed or avoided by
adopting certain policies. There are three major types of criminal prevention such as police,
courts and correction; situational approach and social development. Police service is the
primary option for the prevention of crime. The officers are preventing the crime by the help
of proper legislation and court will punish them based on relevant evidences. Effective
attempt has been taken by the situational approach and the main aim of it is to reduce the
criminal opportunity.

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Answer to question 2 part A
Lot 243/360 Harris Street, Pyrmont, Sydney.
Source: Source: (Sunshine Coast Daily, 2017)

5CRIME PREVENTION AND THEORY
Source: (PerthNow, 2017)
Source: (Heraldsun.com.au, 2017)

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Source: Source: (Sunshine Coast Daily, 2017)
Crime regarding the car theft has become a serious concern for Australia. It has
been observed from the previous record that the index of car theft and car parking crime is
growing in nature and the Australian government has taken certain measures or strategies to
prevent the crime relating to car parking. Situational crime prevention strategy is one of them
(Crawford and Evans 2017). The main objective of such strategy is to concentrate on the
environmental processes to prevent such offence. The grounds of these strategies are
unemployment, poverty, alienation or inappropriate social conditions. According to this
theory, if the opportunities regarding crime can be reduced, the rate of crime can also be
reduced automatically. According to Susan Geason and Paul Wilson, proper training will help
to reduce the chances of car theft and the drivers will be cautious regarding the car parking.
There are two main criteria of auto crime in Australia- theft from car and theft of
car. The most affected area regarding car theft is New South Wales and Sydney. Considering
the rate of car parking crime, Sydney was regarded as the car theft capital of the world.
According to the report published in 2015, it has been observed that around 51,534 cars have

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been theft throughout the country (https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/blog/car/grand-
theft-auto-australia-2016/).
Car parking is the ideal site for the prevention of crime through Situational crime
prevention strategy. There are certain reasons behind the same. The criminals are targeting
the road cars and committing burglary on the same. In that circumstances, situational
approaches can properly analysed the nature and scope of the crime and applied necessary
steps to prevent the crime.
Ronald Clarke had provided certain measures that can be effective for the auto
crime prevention:
 The car owners should be adopted good security criteria;
 The design if the cars should be secure friendly;
 The registration process and the vehicle identification number should be verified and
changeable;
 Proper education should be given to the car owners so that they can be more
cautious regarding their responsibility and the common way followed up by the
thieves.
Answer of Question 2 part B
It has been proved from the report that the strategy helps to reduce the car parking
theft to certain extent. There were 41 suburbs identified as high theft areas 1986, whereas, the
rate has been reduced in the year 1988, the number became 20. The rate has been reduced in
2015 and now there are mainly two high risks area (New South Wales and Sydney). Certain
public awareness program had been run by the Victorian police in the Airport West Shopping
Town and the process has been succeeding to reduce the rate of crime. Australian Institute of

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Criminology has also started one awareness program on the car theft and able to standardise
the security program by improvised the central locking system and anti-theft ignition.

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Reference:
Clarke, R.V. and Bowers, K., 2017. Seven misconceptions of situational crime
prevention. Handbook of crime prevention and community safety, pp.109-142.
Crawford, A. and Evans, K., 2017. Crime prevention and community safety (pp. 797-824).
Oxford University Press.
Heraldsun.com.au. (2017). Safety fears amid youth crime wave. [online] Available at:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/victorias-youth-crime-crisis-sparks-
community-safety-fears/news-story/5aeaa197484a81a12001adc12e58ff4a [Accessed 14 Dec.
2017].
PerthNow. (2017). WA home invasion and car theft capital. [online] Available at:
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/figures-reveal-wa-is-home-invasion-and-car-theft-
capital-of-australia-ng-6c61b9ada2b0c8531b86bdd56330e55b [Accessed 14 Dec. 2017].
Sunshine Coast Daily. (2017). Car Theft. [online] Available at:
https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/topic/car-theft/ [Accessed 14 Dec. 2017].