Foreword from Nick Dean, Chief Constable Cambridgeshire Constabulary
‘Policing our neighbourhoods’ is at the centre of what we do here in Cambridgeshire. We have taken great strides in placing this at the core of our policing model and the future investment in our neighbourhood teams is welcome. The concept of problem solving as the bedrock of policing; the foundation upon which everything else is built. I am a great believer in investing in tackling the cause of issues and in achieving long term, sustainable solutions. A problem solving approach is vital if we are to make a real difference to our communities. Since my arrival in force I have witnessed some fantastic initiatives making a real difference in improving the quality of life of those we serve. However, problem solving is not just limited to neighbourhoods; it should be at the heart of how we approach issues and concerns in whatever field of work we operate.
Very often communities approach us or our partners when they really need help and we have a duty to respond in a positive way. Of course I recognise that we cannot do everything but those key concerns, affecting people’s quality of life, causing harm and distress to communities should be our priority.
We have invested in problem solving training and guidance and this document adds to the reference material already available. Working together with our communities and partners we can make a real and sustainable difference; that is why I am a real advocate of problem solving.
Cambridgeshire is a safe county but working together and with our communities we can make it even safer, protecting the public by getting to the root cause of issues; taking a problem solving approach allows us to achieve that goal.
I look forward to working alongside you to make a real difference.
A problem can be defined as:
- a cluster of similar, related or recurring incidents rather than a single incident.
- an issue of substantial community concern
- a type of behaviour
- a place
- a person(s)
- a special event or time
- a specific desirable object or hot product
Some issues may seem easy to solve, for example, young people causing anti-social behaviour, however understand the underlying causes of the problem. South Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership has adopted a problem solving approach to help, identify, prevent and solve problems.
The approach covers:
- a consistent approach to problem solving across the county
- the ability to better co-ordinate problem solving activity with and between partners
- the identification and sharing of effective practice
- a simple process with minimal bureaucracy
You may also come across more complex issues such as:
- a persistent issue that cannot be quickly resolved and which requires to coordinate activity from more than one agency (may include neighbourhood priorities) and often the community itself
- an issue which presents a high risk of harm to a community or an individual
- a regular event which has a significant impact on police/partner resources/the community
The scanning, analysis, response and assessment (SARA) model is a widely used and effective method to help understand the underlying causes of problems, to identify solutions and to assess the effectiveness of responses.
This model covers:
- scanning: identify and describe the problem using knowledge and basic data
- analysis: dig deeper into the problems and its causes
- response: how you will solve the problem
- assessment: was the outcome successful?
Please see the below interesting video that describes the SARA model.
The 10 principles of crime prevention are:
- Target hardening
- Target removal
- Removing the means to commit crime
- Reducing the payoff
- Access control
- Surveillance
- Environment change
- Rule setting
- Increasing the chance of being caught
- Deflecting offenders
The table below shows the 25 different techniques to help prevent crime taking place in your community.
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Increase the effort |
Increase the risks |
Reduce the rewards |
Reduce provocations |
Remove excuses |
|
1. Target harden - Steering column locks and immobilisers - Anti-robbery screens - Tamper-roof packaging |
6. Extend guardianship - Take routine precautions: go out in a group at night, leave signs of occupancy, carry phone - “Cocoon” neighbourhood watch
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11. Conceal targets - Off-street parking - Gender-neutral phone directories - Unmarked bullion trucks
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16. Reduce frustrations and stress - Efficient queues and polite service - Expanded seating - Soothing music/muted lights
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21. Set rules - Rental agreements - Harassment codes - Hotel registration |
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2. Control access to facilities - Entry phones - Electronic card access - Baggage screening |
7. Assist natural surveillance - Improved street lighting - Defensible space design - Support whistleblowers
|
12. Remove targets - Removable car radio - Women’s refuges - Pre-paid cards for pay phones |
17. Avoid disputes - Separate enclosures for rival soccer fans - Reduce crowding in pubs - Fixed cab fares
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22. Post instructions - “No parking” - “Private property” - “Extinguish camp fires” |
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3. Screen exits - Ticket needed for exit - Export documents - Electronic merchandise tags |
8. Reduce anonymity - Taxi drivers IDs - “How’s my driving?” decals - School uniforms |
13. Identify property - Property marking - Vehicle licensing and parts making - Cattle branding |
18. Reduce emotional arousal - Control on violent pornography - Enforce good behaviour on soccer field - Prohibit racial slurs
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23. Alert conscience - Roadside speed display boards - Signatures for customs declarations - “Shoplifting is stealing” |
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4. Deflect offenders - Street closures - Separate bathrooms for women - Disperse pubs |
9. Utilize place managers - CCTV for double-deck buses - Two clerks for convenience stores - Reward vigilance |
14. Disrupt markets - Monitor pawn shops - Controls on classified ads - Licensing street vendors |
19. Neutralise peer pressure - “Idiots drink and drive” - “It’s OK to say no” - Disperse troublemakers at school
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24. Assist compliance - Easy library checkout - Public lavatories - Litter bins |
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5. Control tools/weapons - “Smart” guns - Disabling stolen cell phones - Restrict spray paint sales to juveniles |
10. Strengthen formal surveillance - Red light cameras - Burglar alarms - Security guards |
15. Deny benefits - Ink merchandise tags - Graffiti cleaning - Speed humps |
20. Discourage imitation - Rapid repair of vandalism - V-chips in TVs - Censor details of modus operandi
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25. Control drugs and alcohol - Breathalyzers in pubs - Server intervention - Alcohol-free events |