Crime Prevention in the new Millennium

 

What do we mean by crime prevention?

 

Over the past ten years we have seen a significant change in the role of what we refer to as ‘Crime Prevention’ this has been confined to a terminology confined to policing and law enforcement circles. However now we have seen a more holistic approach to the question it is no longer confined to police officers or is it confined to issues, which were normally within the confines of law enforcement. There is a common perception of Crime Prevention which immediately encourages a response of ‘Security’, this is some part is true but its much more than this, it is a service which can now stand on its own. One could even argue that it could be joint and several of any initiative whether commercial or domestic. We all recognise the annual recorded crime figures, which indicate the global criminal picture throughout the whole country. This as we know indicates the crimes, which have been reported to the police. There is some speculation that the actual figure is 43% higher because of the fact that many crimes are not reported to the police for a variety of reasons. On top of this there has been a change in the recording process which includes separately offences which were not recorded because they did not meet a minimum requirement or they were previously included as part of the whole figure.

 

How we all can benefit from Partnerships?

 

In the past few years we have seen a complete reshuffle of the crime prevention ecology, we have seen a new focus by the Government of the day especially with regards to Crime Prevention. This has been followed by the development of Legislation, which is based on crime prevention strategies. There has been a further development; this is that of ‘working relationships’, which have changes the perception of crime prevention even as the professionals know it. This relationship would become workable under its new name of a  ‘Partnership’ and this would be the core of new Legislation. The new concept of crime prevention would join together the ‘Police service and the Local Authorities‘ who would now share the responsibility for delivery of programmes on crime prevention. This new partnership would also require the inclusion of other agencies in the crime prevention battle as new joint strategies would be developed to create the object of ‘ Safer Communities’, this would require strategy committees and other working groups to tackle many of the questions facing the local community. The government again at the spearhead of this new initiative would provide support through new and ground braking Legislation. They would also seek the view of many in the community both individuals and groups so that community concerns were brought to the decision making process.

 

A new definition for modern crime prevention emerges?

 

We have discussed earlier how there has been a change to the commonly held perception of crime prevention and what is really meant by it. Due to the boost that it has been given through the Government focus and supporting Legislative program, Crime Prevention has become a terminology, which is common to everyone. A new and accepted definition would be: -

 

‘Crime prevention is the investigation of strategies, methods or other resources which can be implemented either eliminate or reduce the risk or threat of a crime, whether that crime is against property, an individual or in fact anything. That the act committed has been defined in law or other Legislative reference as a criminal act’ this would also include attempts, which if completed would result in the crime’.  

 

If we adopt this definition we can see now how crime prevention has been extended into many areas of Legislation and indeed statutory compliance. Crime Prevention specialist are aware that the criminality now touches the most common of all business, as every day issues such as Health and Safety, Environmental Legislation, Data protection, V.AT, Tax, Insurance and many administrative tasks now fall in these areas of consideration.

 

Improving the public perception for the future?

 

It is unfortunate that the commercial sector still perceives that ‘crime prevention’ is a bolt on service of a security manager’s role. However the planned changes in the registration of security personnel from security officer to security company director.  This will ensure the professional perception of security industry, which has suffered greatly at the hands of unprofessional operators, and protect the public against exploitation. We hope like many that through this process of re-education the commercial sector will see the ‘security officer’ and the security manager as someone to listen to, a professional in his own right, a person who deserves their respect and support. Even today we see examples of the exploitation of security personnel by commercial employers  ‘ a security officer with a mop and bucket cleaning the shop floor’ as customers pass by’. This is not the image that the industry wants to promote, but one that the commercial employer deemed worthy of the officer’. I felt insulted that he had been asked to do this type of work, is he not more worthy than this and equally angered that the individual had even agreed to do it.  I then tried to look at it from the officer’s point of view, he wants to hold his job, and to please his company so maybe the blame for this should rest higher. His management should have made it clear that they refuse to allow officers to do this work and support the officer if he is placed in a position that he has to refuse this type of work. How are we ever going to improve the public expectation if the public’s encounters with the Private Security Industry are going to be that of security officer cleaning the shop floor? What about his expertise and talents these should be used where they are best suited preventing crime.  The changes to the security industry we know will change the whole face of security as we know it but it will also change the way that commercial organisations do business contracts with members of the security industry in the future.  The core focus is to improve public confidence, to promote more respect for the professionalism of the security officer and to restore some dignity to the security officers who work under some degree of risk, which seems to be forgotten by the commercial businesses that engage their protective skills.

 

Working with the police service for a better community?

 

We have considered the continued improvement of the security officer as a recognised crime prevention officer; to this end we would hope that the inclusion of a recognised NVQ in Crime Prevention would enhance the professionalism of the individual. This would benefit of both himself and the commercial employer. Firstly the individual would be improving his skills and knowledge so that he would be more professional at his job. Secondly he can work with commercial managers to develop better crime prevention strategies. Maybe it is accepted within commercial circles that he does possess skills and can recognise risks to the business that the other management have been unaware of before. The knowledge has enabled him to gain respect and in the provision of his duties he can look deeper, assess and evaluate the situation better from a hands on position. This therefore develops the professional status of the individual who commands respect, and gives the individual some pride and dignity in what he does which is sadly missing from the security officer’s remit at the moment. Changes in policing methods has made demands on policing time and resources and this we feel will lead to a support mechanism being initiated.  This mechanism is one that will develop a new style of security officer. He will  be well equipped for the job and more direct contact with the public. There will of course need to be protection for the consumer, public confidence and an understanding of what it will do. The security industry already has direct contact with the public and with improved training in Customer Services build up public confidence because there is a path of accountability. It could be argued that the mechanism already exists. We all know this type of idea has being rejected at many levels but in reality there are not many options available and it is least worth consideration at the moment. Constant strains on the policing resources can only last for so long before the decision-makers have to consider other options this being one of them. This would provide that one commodity which is so precious and sadly lacking today that of ‘Time’. This idea meets the original idea of the Government, it develops a partnership, which is determined to protect the community, and more importantly keep it safe for all its residents, to develop new crime prevention programs, which will meet this goal.

               

Police morale falls as service suffers?

 

Everyone has their own opinion as to what area of crime prevention needs to be prioritised as part of creating this safer community, which the Government speaks of. Some consider the biggest threat to be vehicle crime, others domestic burglary and others like business people fraud or commercial crime. Unfortunately there will be casualties in the decision process, as some one has to make the final decision, however there needs to be greater communication with that community. In many cases we believe that this is failing, the general public are unaware of what initiatives are being targeted and maybe they should through greater communication. There is a continuous decline in police confidence and this combined with an inner low morale is affecting the quality of service to the public.

The concept of partnerships has actually made crime prevention the function of everyone not just a few professionals. Crime continues to grow in particular the offences of crime against the person, we see horrific pictures of senior members of communities who are attacked in the streets even in their own homes. The long term presumption that you are safe in your own home is no longer true there is no fear of entering premises now even if the suspect believes there is someone there. There is a high chance that the occupant of the particular premises will become the victim. An example of an offence against young children has emanated from the ‘Pokeman’ craze, teenagers are threatening younger children stealing their cards to complete sets or to sell on, and there have been incidents of assaults being committed on these young children. It appears unbelievable that a hobby for many could end up been the very thing which could make you a victim of crime for something so small. What has happened to society that a child pursuing a hobby stands the real risk of becoming a victim from it? I believe in the main these offences are not reported to the police they are insignificant, not worth bothering about, you couldn’t identify the property anyway, the victim is nine or ten or even younger depending on the circumstances.  It is suggested that the national crime figures, which are published, are in fact 40% below what the real picture in society is.

 

We want the right to defend our property and our families as we are already at risk of injury or death if we wait for answers from intruders?

 

One could not close this article without making some comments on the subject of Mr Martin who was convicted of Manslaughter when he shot an intruder in his home. This case has caused an unbelievable public response to the fact that someone defending his or her own home was convicted in this way. There are of course other factors, which need to be considered with this case. There were some comments, which were made after the case like giving a warning to the offenders. How many occupants of property have disturbed intruders in their home, they got no warning that the offender was carrying some sort of weapon at the time and then paid the ultimate price of their life.  There needs to be some changes in both the Legislation and the legal structure. Firstly the presumption that ‘if an occupant of private premises disturbs an intruder in that building or part of it. It is reasonable unless there is evidence to the contrary to assume that the person is there for a legal purpose. If this offence occurs during the hours of darkness this is automatic and it will be up to the defendant to prove otherwise.’ We should have some rights to defend both our property and our families. The problem, which arises, is how do I know whether this person has a concealed weapon on him. I don’t believe that I should have to give him a warning, he knows why he is there and I know that he has not been invited nor is his presence legal. I must have some right to defend myself immediately, I can’t afford to wait to find out if he has a weapon, and if I do it may be to late. I could be at best seriously injured and at worst killed in the premises. This is an issue that needs to be addressed both by the Legislators but the courts; we all need clear protection from these types of event, from the persons who commit them. So we see the crime prevention ethos move into the legislative and the legal system.

 

 

Written by T.P.Tuohy – MISecM, MIPA, EPIC, MIMgt, ISCPP, IIRSM