1. Background
The techniques of situational crime prevention
have evolved over the past 15 years, in response to advances in our understanding of crime, crime reduction theory and the changes in crime itself. This has meant that the number of techniques has increased as a consequence. Originally Clarke
(1993) proposed 12 techniques* as situational measures were first developed to prevent a variety of 'street and predatory crimes'.
Clarke and Homel (1997) modified the original 12 to 16 techniques, by adding the category of 'removing the excuses for crime'. This reflected the application of situational measures to offences such
as tax evasion, traffic offences, sexual harassment and theft of employer's property, which were as much the province of 'ordinary citizens' as 'hardened offenders' (Clarke 1997).
In response to Wortley's (2001) critique of situational crime prevention, Cornish and Clarke (2003) expanded the techniques further to 25 by including the category 'reducing provocations'. The latest collection of 25 crime reduction techniques is shown below
- for a more comprehensive account, please see Clarke and Eck (2003) referenced in the further reading
section.
*reduced to '10 principles' by the Crime Reduction Centre as 3 types of surveillance
were combined under a single heading.
2. Features
Twenty-five techniques of situational crime prevention
Below are the updated 'Twenty-five Techniques of Situational Crime Prevention' by Cornish and Clarke (2003). Each technique has
2 examples listed with it.
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Increase the effort
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Increase the risks
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Reduce the rewards
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Reduce provocations
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Remove the excuses
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1. Harden Targets
immobilisers in cars
anti-robbery screens
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6. Extend
guardianship
cocooning
neighbourhood watch
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11. Conceal targets
gender-neutral phone directories
off-street parking
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16. Reduce
frustration and stress
efficient queuing
soothing lighting
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21. Set rules
rental agreements
hotel registration
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2. Control access to facilities
alley-gating
entry phones
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7. Assist natural surveillance
improved street lighting
neighbourhood watch hotlines
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12. Remove targets
removable car radios
pre-paid public phone cards
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17. Avoid disputes
fixed cab fares
reduce crowding in pubs
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22. Post instructions
'No parking'
'Private property'
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3. Screen exits
tickets needed
electronic tags for libraries
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8. Reduce anonymity
taxi driver ID's
'how's my driving?' signs
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13. Identify property
property marking
vehicle licensing
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18. Reduce emotional arousal
controls on violent porn
prohibit paedophiles working with children
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23. Alert conscience
roadside speed display signs
'shoplifting is stealing'
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4. Deflect offenders
street closures in red light district
separate toilets for women
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9. Utilise place managers
train employees to prevent crime
support whistle blowers
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14. Disrupt markets
checks on pawn brokers
licensed street vendors
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19. Neutralise peer pressure
'idiots drink and drive'
'it's ok to say no'
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24. Assist compliance
litter bins
public lavatories
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5. Control tools/weapons
toughened beer glasses
photos on credit cards
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10. Strengthen formal surveillance
speed cameras
CCTV in town centres
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15. Deny benefits
ink merchandise tags
graffiti cleaning
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20. Discourage imitation
rapid vandalism repair
V-chips in TV's
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25. Control drugs /alcohol
breathalysers in pubs
alcohol-free events
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3. Further Reading
Clarke, R.V. ed. (1997) Situational Crime Prevention: successful case studies (2nd edition).
New York: Harrow and Heston.
Clarke, R.V. and Eck, J. (2003). Become a Problem-Solving Crime Analyst.
London: Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, University College London. www.jdi.ucl.ac.uk/publications/manual/crime_manual_content.php
Wortley, R. (2001) A Classification of Techniques for Controlling Situational Precipitators of Crime.
Security Journal 14:63-82.
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