Crime Reduction Programme
The Foresight Programme Turning the Corner
This is the report of the Foresight Crime Prevention Panel which makes recommendations from a consultation undertaken earlier in 2000. The Panel is part of and funded from the Government’s Crime Reduction Programme.
The report, published in December 2000, is based on:
discussions with leaders and experts in diverse fields
responses to the consultation paper, Just Around the Corner
presentation and discussion of the work at events
material from others in the fields of crime prevention, science, society and the future
Given that crime damages the quality of life and the structure of society as well as costing the economy up to £50 billion a year, the report outlines the Panel’s views on the issues the UK should address now to minimise crime in the future, particularly that which may arise from new technology. It sets out a picture of the drivers for the future, both scientific and social, and the implications these have for crime.
The drivers identified towards 2020 are globalisation, 24 hour culture, independence and interdependence, Information Communication Technologies (ICT), science and technology and demographics. In the light of these the following changes in crime are expected to emerge and need to be addressed:
The power of the individual
The speed and globalisation of criminal innovation versus institutional responses
The value of proof of identity and authenticity
More electronic crime – theft of electronic services, intellectual property, knowledge and data
A potential reduction in property crime
More violent crime
The report makes five recommendations:
That a dedicated funding stream is established to focus science and technology attention to crime reduction.
That a national e-crime strategy is established, for all levels of e-crime.
That the wider impact of new technology on the Criminal Justice System (CJS) is reviewed - including training, equipment, funding, co-ordination and consistency – and action taken to address the issues identified.
That thinking on crime reduction is incorporated into the mainstream of central Government and business decision making. Similarly, ongoing programmes should be established to encourage "horizon scanning" and hence identify and prepare for future threats.
That a programme is developed to address crime at all stages of a product’s life cycle.
Full
text of Turning the Corner 
PDF (136 Kb)
The Foresight Programme was restructured in March 2002 and the existing thematic Panels closed. The Home Office will continue to support the programme by:
taking forward the work of (i) the Business and Crime and (ii) the Products and Crime Task Forces - in particular, that arising from the results of Impact of Crime on Business and Code of Practice for Manufacturers of Electronic Products and Incentives for such a Code.
agreeing with the Science & Technology Task Force and the Research Councils the best way of exploiting opportunities for investment in scientific research on crime prevention
testing potential options for longer term futures work.
Last update: 24 May 2005