A report released recently by the Home Office (Hope et al 2004), summarizes the findings of three consortia of universities (Universities of Manchester and Leicester, and Keele) which were involved in the evaluation of 20 Strategic Development projects supported by the Reducing Burglary Initiative (RBI)[1] in the Yorkshire and the Humber East midlands and Eastern regions of England. One of the main aims of the RBI was to reduce burglary in England & Wales by targeting areas with the worst domestic burglary problems.

 

Using a time-series evaluation design ( a new method for such crime reduction work), the Consortium assessed the impact of RBI by comparing changes in levels of burglary for before and after periods from the start of each burglary intervention at the target locations and in reference areas used for comparison (see Kodz et al 2004).

 

The main outcomes included:

 

• A substantial number of projects were associated with a diffusion of crime reduction benefits, and a net reduction of crime in their targeted and surrounding areas taken together.
• A variability in the level of success of projects, with only a minority (6) associated) with significant burglary reductions in their target areas
• Little support for a prevention strategy focused on repeat victimization, or for the anticipatory benefits effects of projects. 

 

Some of the indications of successful projects included:

 

-Projects which were not isolated from other area programmes, or the crime trends in the area

 

-Projects which abandoned targeting in favour of widening coverage to other actual and potential targets in the community

 

-Projects where a problem solving approach to implementation was adopted,

 

-Projects which maximized partnerships-tapping into the expertise and skill set held by each partner involved.

 

-Partnerships which ran between local authorities and regeneration contractors were seen as the most successful, in contrast to those managed directly within the police service.

 

Source:
Hope, T. [et al.] (2004). Strategic development projects in the Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands and Eastern regions (Home Office Online Report; 41/04) [Electronic document], London: Home Office.

To download a copy of report, click here.