Unlocking the Secrets of 3 Types of Crime Prevention: A Guide for Everyone
The world we live in today is constantly evolving, and most of us are worried about professional and personal security. All around us, there are reports of crime and threats that make us feel uneasy. With advances in technology, crime has morphed into new forms, and we need to upgrade our methods of crime prevention to keep up.
This guide focuses on three types of crime prevention, which are important to master in today’s world. Read on to unlock the secrets of each type of crime prevention and learn how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Environmental Crime Prevention
Environmental crime prevention refers to the design and architecture of physical spaces to deter crime. The proper design and creation of physical environments can reduce the likelihood of crime vastly.
An excellent example of environmental crime prevention is ‘target hardening,’ which is used to protect homes by making them physically more challenging to break into. This can include measures such as installing sturdy doors with high-quality locks, adding security gates or grills, installing CCTV cameras, and so on.
Another example is implementing well-lit public areas. Poorly lit areas or alleyways provide cover for criminals, increasing the likelihood of crime. Lighting up these areas can serve as a significant deterrent, depriving offenders of privacy.
Social Crime Prevention
Social crime prevention aims to change the attitudes or behaviour of people to stop or prevent crime. By addressing social problems, policy-makers and communities can reduce the amount of crime occurring in a particular area or neighbourhood.
One of the most successful examples of social crime prevention is the use of community policing. This involves law enforcement officials working with the community to identify and solve local crime and safety problems. This collaborative approach increases the community’s sense of ownership and responsibility for the community’s safety and security.
Another example of social crime prevention is creating job opportunities, particularly for young people. The links between high unemployment rates and higher crime rates are well-established. By creating job opportunities, particularly in areas of high crime rates, communities can help reduce crime.
Situational Crime Prevention
Situational crime prevention is all about looking at the circumstances or situations that allow crime to occur and then making changes to minimize those chances. This crime prevention technique focuses on addressing the conditions that facilitate or create opportunities for crime to happen.
A straightforward example of situational crime prevention is putting bollards around a pedestrian area or plaza to prevent vehicles from getting too close. By creating physical barriers around areas where people gather, we can minimize the likelihood of vehicles causing harm.
Another example is making use of signs and visual signals indicating that an area is under surveillance or monitored. This can create a sense of being watched for potential criminals, so they are deterred from committing crime instead of taking unnecessary risks.
Conclusion
We all want a safer society, but we are not sure how to achieve it. These three types of crime prevention – environmental, social, and situational – provide us with the knowledge and methods to fight crime and protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. By taking collective action and using these methods, we can make our world a more welcoming and peaceful place.
