
Outline Approach
Local strategies need to be based on a clear understanding of the local situation
and avoid making assumptions about the problems and their causes. This means gathering
and analysing information on:
what crimes are taking place and how often
where crimes are occurring
when they take place
why they happen
what victims and offenders are involved
how goods are being disposed of.
This section sets out to help partners with this analysis. It draws on the principles
set out in the "Conjunction of Criminal Opportunity" framework developed by the Home
Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. It also provides summary
checklists for suggested local use.
Police records will be an important source of data, but there are many other sources,
which can supplement this information and provide the capacity to cross check data.
Possible sources of data
Police – data/analysis of recorded crimes; information
on offender/victim profiles; costs of robbery;
details/assessment of current robbery reduction initiatives
Probation – offender profiles/ motivation;
details/assessment of current robbery reduction initiatives
Local Authorities/ YOT – offender profiles. Motivation;
details/ assessment of current robbery reduction initiatives
Surveys/ community consultation –fear of crime,
unreported crime, perceptions of hotspots
Drug Action Team/ Drug Reference Group/ Arrest Referral
Scheme – extent of drug misuse/ links between drugs misuse
and robbery
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Using Information
When collating and analysing information it is important to:
Be as clear as possible about what information is required
Spend time talking to the person providing the data and understand the basis
on which it is collected
Be aware of the current uses for the information
Run a ‘reasonableness test’
Are the figures what one might expect in relation to the area./issue in question?
Are there ‘blips’? If so, how can these be explained?
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