Situational crime prevention

Question 1

Clarke’s description of SCP

Answer 1

A pre-emptive approach that simply relies on reducing opportunities for crime

Question 2

What are Situational Crime Prevention measures?

Answer 2

Directed at tackling specific crimes
Involve altering the immediate environment of crime
Aim to increase both the effort and risks of committing crime and reducing the rewards

Question 3

Rational choice theory

Answer 3

Criminals act rationally, weighing up the costs and benefits of a criminal opportunity before deciding whether to commit it

Question 4

Example of rational choice theory SCP

Answer 4

Target hardening measures such as locking doors and windows increases effort a burglar has to make and surveilance increases likelihood of getting caught

Question 5

Which sociologist studied the Port Authority bus terminal?

Answer 5

Felson

Question 6

What does the Port Authority bus terminals study show?

Answer 6

How environmental design can influence crime rates

Question 7

What was the bus terminal infamous for?

Answer 7

High rates of theft, drugs and prostitution crimes in the 70s and 80s

Question 8

Features of poor design of the bus terminal:

Answer 8

Poor lighting, isolated spaces, unclear layout, lack of maintenance, absence of guardianship

Question 9

Criticism of situational crime prevention

Answer 9

It doesn’t reduce crime but simply displaces it. If criminals are acting rationally, they respond to target hardening simply by moving to where targets are softer

Question 9

What changes were added to the bus terminal in the 90s?

Answer 9

Bright even lighting, open layout, increased surveillance, maintenance and cleanliness and target hardening

Question 10

Different forms of displacement

Answer 10

Spatial
Temporal
Target
Tactical