Evaluation Scarman Centre Review
CCTV MINI-SITE EVALUATION
Existing Home Office Research and other evaluations indicate that CCTV can be effective in reducing crime and fear of crime and in helping the police detect crime and convict criminals as part of an overall strategy. Studies, for example, show a 41% overall decrease in vehicle crime in car parks where CCTV has been installed - contributing to the Governments overall target of a national 30% reduction in vehicle crime by 2004.
To help ensure maximum impact and sustainability of CCTV, a £1.5 million Home Office funded central evaluation programme will be carried out by the Scarman Centre, University of Leicester, on 17 approved CCTV Initiative schemes. This study will include contextual factors, pre and post implementation surveys and control areas and will aim to answer the following:
How cost-effective is it?
What is the impact in residential areas?
Under what conditions does it work best?
What is the impact on the fear of crime?
How effective are mobile schemes?
What is the impact on detection, arrest, conviction, guilty pleas and patrolling strategies?
Is crime displaced to areas without cameras, or is crime reduced outside the CCTV area?
What is the deterrent effect on potential and convicted offenders?
The Scarman report was published in February 2005. A summary of the report is available here.
Last update: