ACR102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Problem Solving, Symbolic Power, Access Control
ACR102 – Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice
Week 6
What is crime prevention?
Crime prevention is something we all do.
‘Crime science’ (not CSI type science!):
Involving a systematic process of removing and reducing opportunities for crime to take
place.
For others: ‘The total of all initiatives and state policies other than the enforcement of
criminal law, aimed at reduction of damage by acts defined as criminal by the state’.
(Van Dijk and de Waard, cited in Sutton & Cherney 2012)
Crime prevention vs traditional criminal justice (deterrence)
Crime Prevention vs Law & Order
Routine Activity Theory (Felson):
A capable (motivated) offender;
A target (or victim); and
Absence of effective guardianship
Prevention addresses all three elements,
whereas law and order only works on one (the offender).
Can focus on opportunity reduction or environmental approaches (‘target’ or ‘guardianship’
issues) and/or social prevention (reduce pool of ‘motivated offenders’)
Understanding Crime Prevention
1) TYPOLOGIES
Social prevention: focusing on processes of socialisation which result in some people
including offending as part of repertoire of behaviours;
Environmental prevention: focusing on physical environments in which offences can occur.
Criminal Process as a river
Primary prevention = before problems even begin.
Secondary prevention = when symptoms of ‘risk’ are apparent.
Tertiary prevention = after a criminal event, to prevent ‘relapse’ or repeated victimisation.
2) Crime Prevention vs ‘Law and Order’
Target (victim)
Law and Order only
focuses on deterring
and apprehending
offenders
Crime prevention focuses on all three points of the triangle
ENVIRONMENTAL
PREVENTION
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Involving a systematic process of removing and reducing opportunities for crime to take place. Prevention addresses all three elements, whereas law and order only works on one (the offender). Can focus on opportunity reduction or environmental approaches ( target" or guardianship" issues) and/or social prevention (reduce pool of motivated offenders") Social prevention: focusing on processes of socialisation which result in some people including offending as part of repertoire of behaviours; Environmental prevention: focusing on physical environments in which offences can occur. Secondary prevention = when symptoms of risk" are apparent. Tertiary prevention = after a criminal event, to prevent relapse" or repeated victimisation: crime prevention vs law and order". Law and order only focuses on deterring and apprehending offenders. Crime prevention focuses on all three points of the triangle. Focuses on preventing crime through managing the environment in which crime takes place.
