Criminal damage
case studies
Included here are a collection of case studies on criminal damage related work.
If you would like your work to be featured, please email: criminal.damage@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Orphan sites project, Safer Wolverhampton Partnership
- ACTION: All Orphan and problem sites were identified through a survey, the ownership was established and the problem of the site categorised.
- OUTCOME: The survey has lead to the identification of areas in need of action and greater co-ordination between different agencies.
Graffiti removal service, Safer Wolverhampton Partnership
- ACTION: Funds were pooled together to increase capacity and improve response times. Activities included identifying priority sites, public awareness and free prioritised graffiti removal.
- OUTCOME: Strengthened partnerships and continued joint working on graffiti removal.
Fly posting targeted enforcement, Safer Wolverhampton Partnership
- ACTION: Use of fixed penalty notices (FPN) and legal proceedings, removal of posters. A New Council Policy on advertising their own events was established.
- OUTCOME: An improved perception of the Council and the local area and a reduced level of fear of crime.
Multi agency work in geographic hotspots, Safer Walsall Partnership
- ACTION: A multi-agency group including police officers and Encams targeted specific geographic locations using high visibility patrols, deployment of Dome Hawks, CCTV and other preventative measures.
- OUTCOME: The surveillance pointed towards hot spot areas within the targeted areas and also led to six interventions within twelve months.
Use of CCTV, Shrewsbury Community Safety Partnership
- ACTION: Two CCTV systems with the ability to record data were deployed targeting the Late Night Economy. An increase in police presence was also employed on the streets during late night Christmas shopping.
- OUTCOME: The CCTV has assisted in reassuring the public and reducing crime and disorder.
Work with Registered Social Landlords, Birmingham Community Safety Partnership
- ACTION: Police officers and housing officers worked together to reduce the number of false reports and also to identify hot spot areas with a high level of reports of criminal damage.
- OUTCOME: An improved relationship between the police and the housing officers has led to a reduction in recorded incidents of criminal damage by 22 to 40%
Castle and Priory Mini Beat Sweep, Dudley Community Safety Partnership
- ACTION: A variety of methods were used including beat sweeps, offender targeting, community clean- up, community reassurance and restorative justice. Diversionary tactics and provisions for young people were also introduced.
- OUTCOME: This has lead to an increase in detection by 125% and by March 2007 the level of criminal damage has decreased by 5%
Operation Totem, Western Area BCU - Cheshire Constabulary
- ACTION: Data-analysis identified key problem areas. These were targeted by using high visibility policing, deployment of CCTV, reducing the availability of alcohol to young people, taking a zero-tolerance approach on criminal damage using a poster campaign, rapid response to graffiti and fly tipping and getting young people involved in sports activities.
- OUTCOME: The second six months statistics showed a 9.1% reduction offences; it also lead to a stronger realtionship between the agencies involved.
Arson of Rubbish Bins, London Borough of Merton
- ACTION: A problem solving partnership was created between the police and London Fire Brigade (LFB). A campaign was also developed 'Don't Fuel the Flames' to educate the residents.
- OUTCOME: The Police, community wardens, housing office and Fire Brigade have formed stronger relations and are able to share information readily.
Detention, East Preston, Lancashire
- ACTION: Activities and clubs were developed to engage local youths. A football match between local youths and police officers took place to improve communication and relations between the two.
- OUTCOME: Continual improvement to the environment has been seen. After a twelve month assessent there was a 96% decrease in criminal damage.
Operation Bustag, London Metropolitan Police
- ACTION: The police and bus operators developed a system for electronic reports of criminal damage. The police also worked with the bus company analysis to improve the quality of evidence, including CCTV footage.
- OUTCOME: A standard has been set across London for dealing with criminal damage and CCTV evidence on the bus network leading to an increase in detection and quality of evidence.
Operation Hotspot, Burnley, Lancashire
- ACTION: Partners and residents developed an action plan with short/medium/long term plans. A six week operation of enforcement, community clean up and youth activities were developed.
- OUTCOME: An increase in community confidence and pride as stronger relations developed between different agencies involved. There has also been a decrease in criminal damage by 16%.
Damage to a church, reparative work case study
- ACTION: A restorative justice approach was taken, when a youth damaged an old church. He was arrested, told of the consequences of his actions and made to make amends for what he had done.
- OUTCOME: The youth realised the impact of his actions on the community and apologised. He helped repair and pay for the damage he had caused.
Alcohol and criminal damage, Wakefield
- ACTION: The School Liason Officers attended schools to discuss the issues around alcohol, anti-social behaviour and crime. Letters were sent home to raise awareness amongst parents of the problem.
- OUTCOME: This led to a reduction in criminal damage and violence, due to its success the project was extended to Bonfire Night.
The Quinton E.S.C.A.P.E. project, Great Wyrley
- ACTION: Youth diversion programs were established to educate the most at risk young people away from drugs and alcohol. A BMX track, benches and a play area were installed. Sporting and music events also took place.
- OUTCOME: Local businesses, previously targeted by young people, have improved. Neighbourhoold Watch and other schemes have brought the communities together and criminal damage has decreased by 23.2%
Don't Damage Your Communities, West Mercia Constabulary
- ACTION: Analysis of data identified hot spot locations. Targeted intiatives included an educational campaign, high visibility police patrols and media campaigns to raise public awareness of criminal damage
- OUTCOME: In the first year of the project there was a 17.7% reduction in criminal damage in the areas, 34% reduction in damage to schools and a 65% reduction during one operation in a priority area.
Graffiti Project, Metropolitan Police Havering OCU
- ACTION: An initiative to identify taggers and offenders was put in to place. Three walls identified as most attractive to those carrying out graffiti were painted white and CCTV was installed.
- OUTCOME: The walls remained clean for between one to six months, taggers were recognised via the CCTV and offenders held accountable.
Operation Clean Up, Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Moorlands Community Safety Partnership
- ACTION: A two day clean up operation in Haregate was organised, a hotline number for Environmental Services was heavily publicised. An updated education pack and Crimestoppers leaflets were distributed.
- OUTCOME: Within three months of the operation, in Haregate crime reduced by 19% and criminal damage reduced by 49%. Due to its success the operation has been repeated on three occassions since October 2005.
Operation Teamwork, Tamworth Community Safety Partnership
- ACTION: A two day clean up took place that included high visiblity policing, distribution of Crimestoppers leaflets, visits to repeat victims and school litter picks.
- OUTCOME: The Environmental Visual Audits (EVA) found a reduction in graffiti and criminal damage by 55%
Graffiti - low level, high impact, South Yorkshire Police, Sharrow Safer Neighbourhood Team
- ACTION: Several projects ran together; a School Liason Officer talked to the children in schools, a Graffiti charter was established and Trading Standards Officers undertook test purchasing for the sale of aerosol paints and alcohol.
- OUTCOME: The response time for removal of graffiti was reduced from 145 days to 4 days. Also initially 70% of retail outlets tested sold alcohol to under 15 year olds, a month this was checked again and none did.
Peer Leadership Programme, Ballymoney District Command Unit
- ACTION: A peer leadership programme was established involving 12 young people representig a cross section of the community. This then lead to a youth club known as ZONE being set up.
- OUTCOME: Criminal damage in the lower end of Ballymoney decreased by 54%
Last update: Wednesday, July 23, 2008