F a m i l y M a t t e r s Family Matters
Reduce the Risk for You and Your Family
Squadron Leader Tom Parkhouse, Officer Commanding Criminal Investigation Squadron, provides a brief insight into crime reduction and how we can use the information to stop us from being a target
The second element is lack of a capable guardian. If you return to your walk home and consider what factors made the target unsuitable to you? The choice of removing a locked bicycle outside an occupied house or the unlocked cycle lent against the tree is not a difficult one to make. A capable guardian will assist in discouraging an offence from taking place whether that is a nosy neighbour, CCTV system or a robust padlock and chain.
Finally, and most importantly, there needs to be an offender who has made a decision to offend, for whatever reason. Without an offender the world would be a much better place.
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he concept of crime reduction for many will be the sole responsibility of Police agencies whether that is Home
Office, MOD or Military. Unfortunately this perception is widely off the mark, as with the familiar military adage ‘security is everyone’s responsibility’, the same can be said for crime reduction.
Before we can think about reducing crime we first need to have an understanding of what crime is and some of the component elements behind it. Crime can be basically defined as a violation of the law and in order for a crime to be committed; three elements have to be in place at the same time.
The first element is that a suitable target has to be available. Next time you’re walking home take some time to see what a potential offender may consider to be a target and rate how suitable that it may be. You will no doubt find a great number of potential targets; however, not all will be suitable and in all probability your top choice will probably include the following traits; be of value, will be easily removed, be visible and have easy access.
Winter 2007
Sorry back to reality. By ensuring that these three elements do not occur at the same time will greatly reduce the risk of an offence taking place. An effective crime reduction initiative attempts to tackle these issues. Once fully explored, a suitable response to reduce the risk can be developed. One or a combination of the following 10 principles can be applied to reducing the risk:
Target Hardening. Strengthening a target so it is difficult to steal or damage (using locks, alarms, etc).
Target Removal. Ensuring that a target is not visible to an offender (putting the car in a garage).
Remove the Means to Commit a Crime. Making sure that any items that may assist an offender are removed (securing items that could be used as a climbing aid).
Reducing the Pay Off Reduce the value of the object to the offender (an item that is property marked is not as valuable to an offender as one that is not).
Access Control Restrict access to property (locking doors and windows).
Visibility/Surveillance Creating an environment where an offender may be observed (increased lighting, CCTV).
Environmental Design Changing an environment to reduce the opportunity of committing a crime (path and road layout, spiteful hedges).
Rule Setting Laws, codes of conduct (last person out of the house checks all doors and windows are secured).
Increase the Chance of being Caught Anything that hinders the offender or increases their chance of being caught (lighting, locked doors, CCTV).
Deflecting Offenders: Diverting offenders and potential offenders from committing crimes (education, youth groups).
Hopefully this has given you a little food for thought on crime and crime reduction. The simple act of making sure your property is secured significantly reduces the risk of you becoming a victim of crime, a little time now may save you a great deal of money and heartache. If you wish to set up a local crime reduction initiative or would like to obtain further information then please contact your Unit Service Police Office.
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