The research focused on several small villages and groups of streets in the Midlands. Information came from interviews, informal observations over a 27-month period, and analysis of official crime reports and telephone calls to police. Results revealed that in all areas, the main problems were vandalism, loitering adolescents, litter, noise, parked cars, and similar problems. However, problems were extremely localized and recurring, and solutions were often difficult to find. Informal policing by citizens consisted of watching a small area and asking suspicious persons if they were lost. Local officials also wrote letters to property owners or hardened targets of vandalism. Citizens decided when to contact the police, usually when informal approaches failed, thereby turning over to the police the control over decisions and information. Police viewed themselves as responding to isolated incidents rather than to recurring problems and had difficulty dealing with these recurring problems. In addition, the police may not be fully aware that they are not the only or even the major source of social control. 16 references