Crime prevention practitioners will be vastly experienced in advising upon the means by which individuals, companies or organisations can protect themselves from risks. These reduction strategies may include improving physical security measures, for example installing perimeter fencing or better door locks. Crime prevention practitioners will also be well aware of the need for co-operative action by communities, of location, for example shopkeepers in the same mall or those of interest, for example cash in transit companies.

 

What is often more problematic is advising individuals, companies or organisations upon how to create and sustain that co-operative action. Any community can only exist and grow through its inter-personal relationships. These relationships are built upon people talking to and listening to one another for without effective and continual communication no community can exist or sustain itself. How though can, for example residents in a neighbourhood or block maintain the necessary levels of communication, at little or no cost, with all of their community members? One simple solution is to create a radio link. 

 

In the following papers it is intended to offer a number of examples of just one approach to creating radio links: 'communities' of location and interest that have been shown to offer a solution to crime and fear reduction. It is also apparent that through improving communication between people - who are not in the same location - but who share similar risks, there will be a number of other benefits, such as increasing levels of social control and support and enhancing community cohesion.

 

These papers are not intended to express the total knowledge in the field for it is hoped that others with experience in this field will feel able to contribute their practical or academic input to the subject. As such these papers will 'live and grow' through the kind support of the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners thereby benefiting not just members but anyone with an interest in this field.

 

Thank you for referring to these papers and should you wish to share any comments or experiences please contact Inspector Martin Wright, West Midlands Police, UK at: Martin.Wright@wolverhampton.gov.uk