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Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) techniques for reducing the opportunity for crime
1. Background
The techniques of situational crime prevention have evolved over the past 15 years, in response to advances in our understanding of crime, crime reduction theory and the changes in crime itself. This has meant that the number of techniques has increased as a consequence. Originally Clarke (1993) proposed 12 techniques* as situational measures were first developed to prevent a variety of 'street and predatory crimes'.
Clarke and Homel (1997) modified the original 12 to 16 techniques, by adding the category of 'removing the excuses for crime'. This reflected the application of situational measures to offences such as tax evasion, traffic offences, sexual harassment and theft of employer's property, which were as much the province of 'ordinary citizens' as 'hardened offenders' (Clarke 1997).
In response to Wortley's (2001) critique of situational crime prevention, Cornish and Clarke (2003) expanded the techniques further to 25 by including the category 'reducing provocations'. The latest collection of 25 crime reduction techniques is shown below - for a more comprehensive account, please see Clarke and Eck (2003) referenced in the further reading section.
*reduced to '10 principles' by the Crime Reduction Centre as 3 types of surveillance were combined under a single heading.
2. Features
Twenty-five techniques of situational crime prevention
Below are the updated 'Twenty-five Techniques of Situational Crime Prevention' by Cornish and Clarke (2003). Each technique has 2 examples listed with it.
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Increase the effort |
Increase the risks |
Reduce the rewards |
Reduce provocations |
Remove the excuses |
|
1. Harden Targets immobilisers in cars anti-robbery screens |
6. Extend cocooning neighbourhood watch |
11. Conceal targets gender-neutral phone directories off-street parking |
16. Reduce efficient queuing soothing lighting |
21. Set rules rental agreements hotel registration |
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2. Control access to facilities alley-gating entry phones |
7. Assist natural surveillance improved street lighting neighbourhood watch hotlines |
12. Remove targets removable car radios pre-paid public phone cards |
17. Avoid disputes fixed cab fares reduce crowding in pubs |
22. Post instructions 'No parking' 'Private property' |
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3. Screen exits tickets needed electronic tags for libraries |
8. Reduce anonymity taxi driver ID's 'how's my driving?' signs |
13. Identify property property marking vehicle licensing |
18. Reduce emotional arousal controls on violent porn prohibit paedophiles working with children |
23. Alert conscience roadside speed display signs 'shoplifting is stealing' |
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4. Deflect offenders street closures in red light district separate toilets for women |
9. Utilise place managers train employees to prevent crime support whistle blowers |
14. Disrupt markets checks on pawn brokers licensed street vendors |
19. Neutralise peer pressure 'idiots drink and drive' 'it's ok to say no' |
24. Assist compliance litter bins public lavatories |
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5. Control tools/weapons toughened beer glasses photos on credit cards |
10. Strengthen formal surveillance speed cameras CCTV in town centres |
15. Deny benefits ink merchandise tags graffiti cleaning |
20. Discourage imitation rapid vandalism repair V-chips in TV's |
25. Control drugs /alcohol breathalysers in pubs alcohol-free events |
3. Further Reading
Clarke, R.V. ed. (1997) Situational Crime Prevention: successful case studies (2nd edition). New York: Harrow and Heston.
Clarke, R.V. and Eck, J. (2003). Become a Problem-Solving Crime Analyst. London: Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, University College London. http://www.jdi.ucl.ac.uk/publications/other_publications/55steps
Wortley, R. (2001) A Classification of Techniques for Controlling Situational Precipitators of Crime. Security Journal 14:63-82.
Last update: 20 July 2004