The International Centre for the Prevention of Crime (ICPC) has compiled a collection of 100 programmes around the world that exemplify knowledge of effective crime prevention. They demonstrate that to prevent crime one must not depend only on institutions and practitioners. Creating safe communities requires building partnerships and coalitions across communities and pooling resources. An interdependent system must be created between citizens, the service sector, the formal intervention system (police and justice system), private enterprise and government, whereby responsibility and power are shared and shared knowledge is used as a springboard for action. These 100 programmes have been chosen as models of crime prevention systems that may be usefully replicated in other situations.
Each program is presented in a brief, simple description so that everyone, no matter what their field or sector, can glean ideas to apply in their particular area. A broad outline of the action taken for each selected program is given as well as characteristics that are most likely to promote the successful replication or adaptation of the program. Examples come from developed and developing countries.
While crime rates have gone down in the 1990s, they are still much higher than in the 1960s. Particular segments of society are especially vulnerable and traditional methods based on intervention are failing. The initiatives highlighted in the report have reduced the incidence of one or more specific crimes, either by focussing on high-risk individuals (either perpetrator or victim) and high-risk areas or by creating mechanisms that reduce crime.
- High levels of poverty and cultural diversity in disadvantaged neighbourhoods often lead to social exclusion from mainstream society.
- A disproportionate number of people from minority and/or aboriginal groups live in poverty and disadvantaged neighbourhoods and become involved in offending or are victimized.
- A high proportion of convicted criminals have substance abuse problems and efforts to wean them off drugs are far more successful where they are allowed to continue their normal daily functions, such as education or parenting.
Some specific lessons are cited, for example:
- Criminal justice sanctions do little to deter re-offending, while community-based punishments do reduce this incidence. A scheme in Manitoba, Canada, achieved an 11 to 22 per cent reduction in re-offending rates during its pilot period
- Minor offences are better dealt with through efforts to empower victims, offenders and the community to repair the harm done by crime and work together to solve the problem, through admission of guilt and efforts to make restitution
- Providing all-female police stations appears to increase the degree to which women report crimes and so reduce and prevent crimes against women by deterring offenders. These stations also provide greater support to victims of gender-crime.
- While success in crime prevention arises from integration of separate elements, it also depends on leadership from one or more key actors: Administrators, the service sector, the formal intervention system, or private enterprise
- Duplicating and adapting these initiatives in similar conditions would likely lead to comparable reductions in crime or victimization.
