Criminal Damage
Criminal damage refers to crimes where a person intentionally or recklessly destroys or causes damage to another person's property. Criminal damage, often referred to as vandalism, includes graffiti, arson and other forms of damage to property, including vehicles.
It accounts for just under a quarter of all British Crime Survey (BCS) offences, and just over a fifth of recorded crime. Criminal damage is frequently seen as a minor crime, but neglected physical environments are unsafe, cause fear and undermine pride in the local community. Criminal damage can also be seen as a catalyst to other forms of anti-social behaviour and crime.
As part of a target to reduce overall crime, the Home Office is working with partners to identify ways to tackle criminal damage. This site provides information about criminal damage for the public, Local Authorities, community groups, Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinators and other agencies who are addressing criminal damage.
NEW ITEMS ON THE MINI SITE
- NEW Date for next on-line session - Arson – 3rd June 2008 12:00pm to 14:00 pm
- NEW Transcript of on-line chat on Criminal Damage to Vehicles
- RECENT Operation Community Challenge. Report on a new initiative being carried out in East Riding, Yorkshire.
- RECENT Evaluation of the 10 areas Criminal damage initiative 2006/07
- RECENT Transcript of on-line advice session on Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night.
- RECENT Facts and figures updated with latest British Crime Survey statistics.
- RECENT Results of the schools competition to design an Anti Vandalism campaign.
- RECENT Case studies page
- RECENT Daring to Damage, an investigation of young people's motivations to commit acts of criminal damage in the North West of England, commissioned by Lancashire's Strategic Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
Last update: Tuesday, April 15, 2008