Four geographic areas were chosen for detailed examination to illustrate the potential contribution of the Probation Service to crime prevention policies and practices. A crime prevention audit was undertaken in each participating area, based on the questionnaires, personal interviews, telephone contacts, and local written policy statements and action plans. In all four areas, the audit revealed a developing commitment to crime prevention. Respondents agreed that the Probation Service could make a unique contribution to crime prevention. The Probation Service had links with some local crime prevention committees, crime prevention panels, and police departments, but considerable variation was observed in the nature and extent of probation representation in local crime prevention initiatives. Of crime prevention activities recorded in audit reports, 37 percent had crime prevention as a central focus, 49 percent had crime prevention as an additional focus, and 14 percent had crime prevention as an incidental focus. Probation Service objectives were relatively clear in some areas but were unfocused in other areas. Additional information on the distribution of crime prevention activity in the four probation areas is appended. 39 references and 2 figures