THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A POLICE-INITIATED FEAR-REDUCING STRATEGY

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a quasi-experimental evaluation of the impact of a policing initiative which aimed to reduce fear of crime and to improve the quality of life of residents in two chosen areas. The results show that the programme was fully implemented during the experimental period. There was no evidence that the programme achieved its major outcome goal of directly reducing the fear of crime. There was evidence, however, that the programme achieved its secondary goals, improving some aspects of the quality of life in the programme areas. The results showed significant improvements, in both programme areas, in respondents' involvement with neighbours in home protection, in satisfaction with the police, and in contact with the police. The results also showed significant improvements in at least one of the programme area⋅ in satisfaction with the area, sense of community, and informal control of crime.