Resources

Addressing alcohol-related crime and disorder incidents/complaints sooner rather later should lead to fewer complaints and cut the cost of dealing with follow-up incidents.

Targeted work with young people at risk of offending can save on later, more costly interventions.

Other measures – e.g. incorporating better lighting levels, cctv systems, good public transport, etc may well be cost neutral.

Where measures do require resources, the case for investment can be strengthened by:

• Demonstrating public concern/demand, e.g. as measured in local or national surveys.

(Link to HO Research Findings 83: Concern about crime)

• Demonstrating the impact the issue has on staff.

(Clarke and Mayhew 1998 cite one survey of workers at a regional hospital when nearly 70% of the 1,000 respondents expressed fear of being a victim of assault or abusive behaviour at Accident & Emergency Departments

• Demonstrating wider benefits (e.g. impact on property values and revenue)

• Making links with other local and national policy objectives, e.g.

  • Youth inclusion

  • Neighbourhood renewal

Making these links may help to open avenues to a wider range of funding sources..

Relevant strands of the crime reduction programme can be found at: http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/cri_index.htm.