Broken windows theory 

This points towards how the gradual degrading of a place leads to higher levels of crime and disorder. Small transgressions of these types of social norms make it increasingly difficult to place controls on the offending party. If an area becomes increasingly untended (either through lack of individual controls or from a reduction in local neighbourhood services), it undermines the willingness and ability of local residents to enforce social order. Consequently, residents withdraw from enforcing neighbourhood social controls, allowing further deviancy to take place. This results in additional withdrawal and fear to enforce social order, and the downward spiral of increased neighbourhood deviancy. Early evidence supported this basic thesis, but more recently questions have been raised against its applicability.

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