Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

What should my audit look like?

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What should my audit look like?

An audit is essentially a piece of research and should be structured to reflect sound research principles.

This part of the toolkit introduces these principles and explains how you should apply them in the audit process to produce a well-structured report.

Your audit report should include these broad headings:

• Introduction 

• Methodology

• Findings

• Discussion

• Appendices

Introduction

Use the 'Introduction' section to:

• give the background and details of any previous work done in the area

• explain the purpose and objectives of the audit

• give a brief description of the geographical area covered by the audit

• introduce any issues that have arisen in relation to the audit

• outline the structure of the partnership

• give a brief overview of the structure of the audit report

You should also consider:

• the needs of the audience for the report

• including acknowledgements

• including a contents list

• including an executive summary

• providing contact details

• areas for improvement

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Methodology

Use the 'Methodology' section to give a detailed description of the procedures used in carrying out the work including:

• details of the audit team

• the stages of the process and the timescales involved

• how the data was obtained and the types of data used in the audit

• any issues around the reliability or validity of the procedures used

• the approach taken to data analysis

• the methodological approach to the consultation

You should also consider: 

• referring to agreed definitions 

• how you can retain ownership of the information

• referencing documents used in the audit 

Tell me more about the 'Methodology' section

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Findings

Use the 'Findings' section to present the results of the audit including: 

• how a problem solving approach has been applied

• an initial 'broad and shallow' analysis

• a summary of the main findings in an appropriate format

• the key problem issues/areas identified

• a 'narrow and deep' analysis of the problem issues/areas

You should also consider:

• the impact of the Nation Crime Recording Standard

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Discussion

Use the 'Discussion' section to:

• explain the progress made since the previous strategy

• explain the main findings from the audit

• identify which areas may require special attention

• suggest areas that may need further investigation in the future

• describe the lessons learned through the methods used in the audit

• review existing crime and disorder reduction and misuse of drugs work

• develop draft priorities for the strategy

• consult on the findings of the audit and draft priorities

You should also consider:

• merging the 'Findings' and 'Discussion' sections

• referring to the Crime Statistics Tool  

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 Appendices

Use the 'Appendices' section to:

• provide additional detail for readers with specialised interests

• provide supplementary materials that need to be included but are not crucial to understanding the audit

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Last update: 10/03/04