Center for Problem-Oriented Policing

Situational Crime Prevention Evaluation Database

This is a collection of articles reporting evaluations of situational crime prevention initiatives. The collection is intended to facilitate research and assist practitioners in finding studies relevant to their current needs. It includes a complete bibliographical listing of studies with links to full text versions (where available).

To download a more expansive summary of each initiative, click here.

TITLE	CITATION	RESULTS
Preventing Pay Phone Damage	Bridgeman, C. (1997). “Preventing Pay Phone Damage.” In M. Felson and R.V. Clarke (eds.), Business and Crime Prevention. Monsey, N.Y.: Criminal Justice Press	69% reduction in number of pay phone attacks; 74% reduction in repair costs
CCTV in Town Centres: Three Case Studies	Brown, B. (1995). CCTV in Town Centres: Three Case Studies. Crime Detection and Prevention Series; Paper 68. London: Home Office, Police Department	Case study: 1) 56% burglary reduction, other declines; 2) mixed results; 3) Reductions in burglary and other crime to lesser extent
Tackling Car Crime: An Evaluation of Sold Secure	Brown, R., and N. Billing (1996). Tackling Car Crime: An Evaluation of Sold Secure. Crime Detection and Prevention Series, Paper 71. London: Home Office, Police Research Group	Vehicles with measures had 2.8 to 18.5 per 1000 registered veh. Theft rate compared to national average of 21 thefts per 1000 registered.
Intelligence-Led Vehicle Crime Reduction: An Evaluation of Operation Gallant	Brown, R., A. Cannings and J. Sherriff (2004). Intelligence-Led Vehicle Crime Reduction: An Evaluation of Operation Gallant. Home Office Online Report 47/04. London: Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate	Theft of vehicles decreased about 16% above that of comparison area; Theft from vehicles decreased only .3% compared to 23.9% decrease in comparison area; no change in theft of high risk vehicles
Closed Circuit Television and Crime on the London Underground	Burrows, J. (1980). “Closed Circuit Television and Crime on the London Underground.” In R.V. Clarke and P. Mayhew (eds.), Designing Out Crime. London: H.M.S.O	Thefts were 4 times lower in treatment than comparison areas; buffer area showed decrease of 27% other areas showed 39% decrease suggesting displacement since buffer drop was not as great as outlying stations; Even so, all showed decreases suggesting diffusion
Police Car Security Campaigns	Burrows, J., and K. Heal (1980). “Police Car Security Campaigns.” In R.V. Clarke and P. Mayhew (eds.), Designing Out Crime. London: H.M.S.O	No change in security level and no change in vehicle theft rate
Public Transport Safety: A Community Right and a Communal Responsibility	Carr, K., and G. Spring (1993). “Public Transport Safety: A Community Right and a Communal Responsibility.” In R.V. Clarke (ed.), Crime Prevention Studies, Vol. 1. Monsey, N.Y.: Criminal Justice Press	42% decrease in crimes against persons; 86% reduction in broken windows; graffiti hits decreased
Evaluation of the Target Hardening Pilot Programme	Casey, C., B. PaulRaj, and S. Jacka (2004). Evaluation of the Target Hardening Pilot Programme. Wellington, N.Z.: Ministry of Justice	Rate of victimization in treatment area was 14% compared to 13% for all comparison counties; 16% of treated households experienced one or more burglaries
Exact Fare on Buses	Chaiken, J., M. Lawless and K. Stevenson (1992). “Exact Fare on Buses.” In R.V. Clarke (ed.), Situational Crime Prevention: Successful Case Studies. Albany, N.Y.: Harrow and Heston	Felonies decreased by 2/3rds during increased patrol and by 40% at other times w/ no patrol; 90% decrease in rate of bus robberies; Displacement from subway robberies to buses then back to subway, however, subway increase was a less than what was reduced in bus robberies
Refund Fraud in Retail Stores	Challinger, D., (1996). “Refund Fraud in Retail Stores.” Security Journal 7(1):27-35	Sharp decrease in number of frauds and value of stolen merchandise; exact numbers ommitted from study due to confidentiality
Less Telephone Vandalism: How Did It Happen?	Challinger, D. (1991). “Less Telephone Vandalism: How Did It Happen?” Security Journal 2(2):111-119	80% decrease in recorded vandalism
Closed-Circuit Television: Its Role in Reducing Burglaries and the Fear of Crime in Sheltered Accommodation for the Elderly	Chatterton, M., and S. Frenz (1994). “Closed-Circuit Television: Its Role in Reducing Burglaries and the Fear of Crime in Sheltered Accommodation for the Elderly.” Security Journal 5(3):133-139	79% decrease in burglary incidence; reduction in elderly fear of crime
Biting Back II: Reducing Repeat Victimization in Huddersfield	Chenery, S., J. Holt and K. Pease (1997). Biting Back II: Reducing Repeat Victimization in Huddersfield. Crime Detection and Prevention Series; Paper 82. London: Home Office, Police Research Group	30% reduction in residential burglary; 20% reduction in theft from vehicles
Fare Evasion and Automatic Ticket Collection in the London Underground	Clarke, R.V. (1993). “Fare Evasion and Automatic Ticket Collection in the London Underground.” In R.V. Clarke (ed.), Crime Prevention Studies, Vol. 1. Monsey, N.Y.: Criminal Justice Press	Fare evasion cut by two-thirds
Deterring Obscene Phone Calls: Preliminary Results of the New Jersey Experience	Clarke, R.V. (1990). “Deterring Obscene Phone Calls: Preliminary Results of the New Jersey Experience.” Security Journal 1(3):143-149	25% reduction in nuisance calls reported to bureau; compared to only 4% decrease in other areas
Theft from Cars in Center City Parking Facilities: A Case Study	Clarke, R.V., and H. Goldstein (2003). Theft from Cars in Center City Parking Facilities: A Case Study. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services	Thefs from autos decreased in target lots 53 percent post implementation. Reductions, however, began prior to formal implementation of measures presumably due to increased police patrols stemming from knowledge of the pending project. No indication of displacement to other areas within policing precinct.
The British Gas Suicide Story and Its Criminological Implications	Clarke, R.V., and P. Mayhew (1988). “The British Gas Suicide Story and Its Criminological Implications.” In M. Tonry and N. Morris (eds.), Crime and Justice: An Annual Review of Research, Vol. 10. Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press	35% reduction in number of suicide from 1963 to 1975.
Crime as Opportunity: A Note on Domestic Gas Suicide in Britain and the Netherlands	Clarke, R.V., and P. Mayhew (1989). “Crime as Opportunity: A Note on Domestic Gas Suicide in Britain and the Netherlands.” British Journal of Criminology 29(1):35-46	Prima facia claims of displacement of suicides to Scotland and Netherlands post detoxification of gas found unlikely as a general increasing trend of suicides due to macro ecomomic and sociological factors was observed.
Cash Reduction and Robbery Prevention in Australian Betting Shops	Clarke, R.V., and G. McGrath (1990). “Cash Reduction and Robbery Prevention in Australian Betting Shops.” Security Journal 1(3):160-163	65% decrease in betting shop robberies over ten year period while robberies increased at other commercial premises; because of increase elsewhere consistent with displacement
Subway Slugs: Tracking Displacement on the London Underground	Clarke, R.V., R. Cody and M. Natarajan (1994). “Subway Slugs: Tracking Displacement on the London Underground.” British Journal of Criminology 34(2):122-138	After alteration of system some displacement observed until completely installed across all stations; Because the same stations previously experiencing high slug use did not do so when new system was in place discounted possibility of displacement.
Target Hardening of Banks in Australia and Displacement of Robberies	Clarke, R.V., and F. Simon (1981). Target Hardening of Banks in Australia and Displacement of Robberies	Little evidence was found that bank robberies had been displaced to other states in Australia or that the fall in bank robberies had led to increases in robberies of other targets in Victoria.
Convenience Store Robberies in Gainesville, Florida: An Intervention Strategy by the Gainesville Police Department	Clifton, W. (1993). Convenience Store Robberies in Gainesville, Florida: An Intervention Strategy by the Gainesville Police Department. Gainesville, Fla.: Gainesville Police Department	Post implementation of situational measures at convenience stores robberies decreased 65% overall, with night time robberies decreasing 75%.
Operation Burglary Countdown (November 2003 – October 2004): Evaluation Study Final Report	Cummings, R. (2005). Operation Burglary Countdown (November 2003 – October 2004): Evaluation Study Final Report. Perth, Western Australia: Estill & Associates	During 12 months of operation, the program has demonstrated its effectiveness in targeted hotspots by reducing residential burglary in Bentley (one of the treatment areas) and the surrounding area by over 40%, saving the community an estimated $700,000. Moreover, residents reporting feeling safer.
Mitchellhill Estate – Estate Based Management (Concierge) Initiative	Davidson, J., and J. Farr (1994). “Mitchellhill Estate – Estate Based Management (Concierge) Initiative.” In S. Osborn (ed.), Housing Safe Communities: An Evaluation of Recent Initiatives. London: Safe NeighbourhoodsUnit	The overall level of crime fell by 54% in the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months. Moreover, the costs of repairs due to vandalism in common areas fell by 41% in the 12 months up to September 1990 (compared with the previous 12 months), and if the last quarter is anything to go by the costs may be halved again in the next 12 months.
Street Lighting and Crime: The Hull Project	Davidson, N., and J. Goodey (1991). Street Lighting and Crime: The Hull Project. Hull, U.K.: University of Hull, School of Geography and Earth Resources	In treatment area fear of crime decreased, citizen use of streets increased after dark, the previous rise of burglary prior to lighting slowed markedly.
Curbside Deterrence?	Decker, J. (1992). “Curbside Deterrence?” In R.V. Clarke (ed.), Situational Crime Prevention: Successful Case Studies. 2nd ed. Albany, N.Y.: Harrow and Heston	In ten areas of slug rejection machines slug use decreased substantially with a range from 29% to 64%. Warning labels only areas saw no credible reduction, but some areas decreased prior to implementation of labels suggesting diffusion of benefit effect from slug rejecting machine areas.
The British Columbia Transit Fare Evasion Audit	DesChamps, S., P.L. Brantingham, and P.J. Brantingham (1992). “The British Columbia Transit Fare Evasion Audit.” In R.V. Clarke (ed.), Situational Crime Prevention: Successful Case Studies. Albany, N.Y.: Harrow and Heston	Sustained reductions in fare evasion were achieved: 20 percent in the SeaBus scheme with added attendants and 67 percent in the FareCard program which made fare detection on cards more easily determined.
An Evaluation of the Jamaican Anti-Crime Program	Diener, E., and R. Crandell (1979). “An Evaluation of the Jamaican Anti-Crime Program.” Journal of Applied Social Psychology 9(2):135-146	During first year of enactment achieved 14% reduction in homicides, a 32% reduction in rapes, a 25% reduction in robberies, and a 37% reduction in nonfatal shootings; Displacement - gun homicides decreased while non-gun homicides increased 33%. Still tactical displacement not offset overall gains.
The Economic Benefit of Electronic Article Surveillance	DiLonardo, R. (1997). “The Economic Benefit of Electronic Article Surveillance.” In R.V. Clarke (ed.), Situational Crime Prevention: Successful Case Studies. 2nd ed. Guilderland, N.Y.: Harrow and Heston	Shrinkage reductions of 35% to 75% were observed to have been achieved. Cost-benefit - In one case, $378K was saved by EAS versus cost of $105K for equipment.
Reducing the Rewards of Shoplifting: An Evaluation of Ink Tags	DiLonardo, R., and R.V. Clarke (1996). “Reducing the Rewards of Shoplifting: An Evaluation of Ink Tags.” Security Journal 7(1):11-14	Ink tagged stores had on average 14% less shrinkage than non-ink tagged stores. In stores swithcing from EAS to ink tags, shrinkage decreased 42% indicating greater effectiveness than EAS.