Home Department written question – answered at on 22 February 2007.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2007, Official Report, column 203W, what assessment he has made of the impact that targeted patrol of crime hotspots has had on (a) crime rates, (b) calls for police services and (c) antisocial behaviour.
Reviews of the international literature by Sherman and Eck (2002) and Weisburd and Eck (2004) have found that there is a consistent body of strong evidence to support the targeting of police patrols to crime hotspots. Research shows that directed patrol is effective in reducing both crime, antisocial behaviour and calls for service.
Recent Home Office research shows that foot patrol, as part of a neighbourhood policing strategy that includes problem-solving and community engagement, can deliver improvements in crime, perceptions of crime and antisocial behaviour, feelings of safety, and public confidence. Home Office Research from 2004 highlights the value of high visibility foot patrol targeted in robbery hotspots. The research site experienced a 16 per cent year-on-year reduction in street robbery.
Ongoing Home Office research will evaluate the impact of neighbourhood policing on police performance, and will be published in due course.
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