Social crime prevention

Abstract

Social crime prevention is often characterised as ‘radical’, requiring transformative change to address ideological, structural and entrenched causes of offending. However, whilst social crime prevention initiatives can require time, resources and significant social, economic and political change to succeed, cost-effective short- and long-term programs can be developed. This chapter offers a historical and theoretical review of the topic in a spatial context, exploring past, present and potential applications in rural locations. Academics and advocates have noted that there are spatial variances in justice system outcomes, depending on the location of the offender, offence or regulating state body; a phenomenon termed ‘postcode (or zipcode) justice’. There are unique barriers to reducing crime in rural places and, consequently, a need for tailored approaches. In discussing recent and emerging initiatives, this chapter focuses particularly on how technology could be used to overcome challenges associated with rural geographies and to prevent crime.