NCJ Number
181821
Editor(s)
Graeme Newman
Date Published
1999
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This paper examines international trends in crime prevention by reviewing the main instruments that have been adopted by the United Nations and other intergovernmental agencies, primary crime prevention strategies, crime prevention successes, economic costs of crime and economic benefits of crime prevention, present and future issues facing crime prevention, and the development of a cost-effective crime prevention strategy globally.
Abstract
International instruments recommend prevention to make communities safer from crime. They indicate government authorities should provide active support, assistance, and encouragement to local crime prevention efforts. Strategies to foster crime prevention in Australia, Belgium, Canada, England and Wales, France, the Netherlands, and the United States are described. Crime problems and crime prevention practices are identified, and the importance of encouraging problem-solving partnerships and involving and informing citizens is stressed. Ways in which crime prevention projects in different countries have reduced delinquency and crime by addressing the causes of crime are discussed. Data on the economic costs of crime and on the comparative cost advantages of crime prevention projects and programs are presented. The need for crime prevention to be grounded in scientific research, and issues facing crime prevention and community safety in the future are considered. 3 tables and 8 figures