Crime Emma Grimley

The Basics O Acts and Omissions O Damage society as a whole O Punishable by the state O Different social, cultural political perspectives = NO UNIVERSAL DEFINTION OF CRIME O Acts deemed ‘criminal’ by law making authorities O Listed in legislation under: O Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) O Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) O Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)

Factors leading to Criminal Behaviour O Psychological – mental and emotional O Pathological – mental condition O Social – Edwin Sutherland’s Theory of Differential association – the peer environment encourages crime O Economic –poverty, unemployment, in sufficient income, believing necessity to steal to survive etc. O Cultural - your cultural background may cause disadvantage or its practices differ from the one supported by the law O Genetics – is the need to commit crimes embedded in our DNA? O Self Interest

Situational Crime Prevention O aims at preventing crime by reducing the physical ability to commit crime or removing the incentive O CPTED – Crime Prevention through Environmental Design develops methods of situational crime prevention O Recommendations: O signs, O landscaping that allows natural observation O Lighting O CCTV – Closed Circuit Television (Cameras) O Security Guards O Limiting movement through design

Situational Crime Prevention – Effectiveness? O CCTV is dependent on the active response of its operators – can they reach the scene in time to prevent the crime? O Does CCTV show what needs to be done in the way of social crime prevention? Particularly their use in alcohol issue zones O Intruder alarms are effective in wider layers of protection – lights and gravel in driveways O Attempts to reduce crime through situational prevention are ongoing

Social Crime Prevention O Crime prevention aimed at curing the social causes behind criminal activity (economic, cultural, educational etc.) O Typically target social-economic disadvantage O Free entertainment - conquers boredom and prevents the self interest of committing crime O Educational programs – conflict resolution and life skills, alcohol and drug information O Racial tolerance education tries to dissolve cultural problems within society

Youth Off the Streets and Social Crime Prevention O Initiated in the 1990s O Rehabilitation programs – solving substance abuse O Assistive Services – financial assistance, housing assistance, counseling etc. O Outreach in economically disadvantaged suburbs O School Program: ‘YOUth making a difference’ O Conflict resolution O Racial Tolerance O Drug and Alcohol Information Kit

In Summary… O Crime will not disappear soon, though it can be reduced through… O Understanding why people commit crimes O Continued development into situational and social crime prevention methods