This book examines the increasing appeals to, and actual involvement of, communities in the area of crime control. It draws upon two research projects recently conducted in England to chart and analyze the growing "partnership" approach to crime prevention, addressing the various conflicts and tensions involved.

The dispersal order - one of a variety of new powers introduced by the government to help police and local authorities address problems of disorder and incivilities - gives police powers to disperse groups of two or more from designated areas. Yet, controversially, these powers raise concerns regarding infringements of individual rights. This report provides the first in-depth study of the use and impact of dispersal orders. The report draws on extensive sources of data, including interviews with policy-makers and practitioners involved in implementing schemes across the UK; two detailed...

This work provides an empirically grounded, theoretically informed account of changes to the youth justice system in England and Wales, focusing on the introduction of elements of restorative justice into the heart of the system.

This work provides an empirically grounded, theoretically informed account of recent changes to the youth justice system in England and Wales, focusing on the introduction of elements of restorative justice into the heart of the system.

This timely and important report draws together the findings of an extensive two-year study of developments in the provision of visible policing in England and Wales. Exploring the dynamic relations between different public and private providers, it combines an overview of national developments with a detailed analysis of six focused case studies, including two city centres, one out-of-town shopping centre, an industrial park and two residential areas. The report considers the role of community support officers, neighbourhood wardens and private security guards, amongst other plural policing...

Current youth justice policy aims to introduce principles of restorative justice and involve victims in responses to crime. The challenges involved in delivering this in a form that is sensitive to victims are considerable. This report provides an evaluation of the manner in which one Youth Offending Service sought to integrate victims.

Concerns over insecurity and questions of safety have become central issues in social and political debates across Europe and the western world. Crucial changes have followed as a result, such as a redefinition of the role of the state in relation to policing - a central theme of this book - and an explosion in the growth of private policing.

These developments have, in their turn, heightened feelings of insecurity and safety, particularly where populations have become increasingly mobile and societies more socially fragmented, culturally diverse and economically fragmented. Responses to...