Analysing causes: a checklist

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Information sources

1. Profile of offenders

Are crimes the work of many or a few prolific offenders?

Are they part of an organised crime network?

Do offender profiles point to common factors, eg

  • Age/ethnicity
  • School exclusion
  • School underachievement
  • Lack of skills

What evidence is there that crimes are drug-related?

What do we know about criminal offenders. How do they become involved? What are the risk factors, e.g. family issues

Do offenders live locally or are they travelling to the area to commit crime?

Do locations/crime patterns suggest that offenders are opportunists/ professionals?

 

Police

Youth Offending Teams

Probation service

Arrest referral scheme

Drug Action Teams

Social Services

Schools

Education Authorities

 

 

2. Targets

What makes victims attractive to robbers? (e.g. clothing, demeanour etc.)

What makes victims particularly vulnerable? E.g. Lifestyle routines.

 

Police

Youth Offending Teams

Probation service

3. Physical environment

What features of crime hotpots make them attractive and accessible for robbers?

Are victims to be found in vulnerable locations

What opportunities are there for surveillance?

 

Police

Youth Offending Teams

Probation service

Local residents/businesses

Local planners

4. Social environment

Is there an absence of 'crime preventers' - people or organisations, either formal or informal?

Is there an environment of 'crime promoters' - either knowingly or unwittingly e.g. supplying tools or knowledge, providing outlets for goods, peer pressure

What are the markets for stolen goods? How are goods disposed of?

Community facilities - routine of use of shops, leisure and entertainment facilities; 'street' routine e.g. traffic, commuters, local services

 

Police

Traffic wardens

Trading Standards

Retailers, second-hand markets

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