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Methods in assessing the impact of CCTV
This report describes the data analysis techniques in evaluating 13 CCTV projects for the Home Office in February 2005. It is an accompaniment to Does CCTV work? Assessing the impact of CCTV, which provides extensive information on the effectiveness of the projects.
Title: Methods in assessing the impact of CCTV
Authors: Martin Gill, Angela Spriggs, Javier Argomaniz, Jane
Bryan, Sam Waples, Jenna Allen, Deena Kara, Jonathan Kilworth, Ross
Little, Polly Smith, Daniel Swain, Patricia Jessiman
Series: Home Office on-line report 17/05
Date published: February 2005
Number of pages: 54
Availability: Download
full report 
PDF 474Kb
Aims
The overall aims of the evaluation were:
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to discern the level of effectiveness of CCTV in combating crime, disorder and fear of crime
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to describe in more detail the impact of CCTV on fear of crime and individuals' behaviour
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to comment on the features of CCTV systems that make them effective or ineffective (lessons learned)
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to provide an economic evaluation
Methods
In assessing effectiveness, recorded crime statistics were the principal data source, although the results from public attitude surveys (both pre- and post-implementation) were important to measure changes in levels of fear of crime.
The public attitude surveys also formed the basis of analysis in relation to the fear of crime and individuals' behaviour. The surveys covered factors such as public perceptions of crime levels, attitudes towards CCTV and levels of personal and household victimisation in selected areas.
Extensive fieldwork research was critical in drawing together the mass of qualitative information that allowed the third aim to be met. Within Does CCTV work? Assessing the impact of CCTV this data has been drawn together to develop transferable lessons.
Fieldworkers gathered data on the physical resources, such as personnel time, equipment, and running costs, used by each project. Comparing this information with the the impact of a project was the focus for the economic evaluation. Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) were used.
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A cost-effectiveness analysis compares interventions with a common outcome (such as crime reduction or reduction in fear of crime) to discover which produces a given level of outcome for the minimum amount of resources.
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A cost-benefit analysis measures both costs and benefits in monetary values and calculates net monetary gains or losses.
Different types of crime data were collected and analysed in order to satisfy the aims given above. In general, crime data is extremely variable in quality. This variance in crime data makes accurate evaluation across a number of projects, such as in this study, difficult. However, failure to take account of the variation can result in false conclusions being drawn about the effectiveness of the projects. This report presents a method for dealing with data variability.
The full report contains detailed descriptions of each of the these methods and the tools used to assess performance against each of the aims detailed above. As this report is a description of the methodology, no conclusions are given here. To view the conclusions of the study view Does CCTV work? Assessing the impact of CCTV.
Getting a copy
Download Methods
in assessing the impact of CCTV
PDF 474Kb from the Home
Office Research Development & Statistics website.
Last update: 14 March 2005