Crime reduction policy and practice

The mission of this research group has been to inform evidence-based crime prevention policies and practices. Working within models of prevention such as Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) and Problem Oriented Policing (POP), and through direct engagement with end users, this research has had significant impacts both in terms of crime prevention policies and routine policing practices, and the prevention and disruption of specific crime problems. 

Researchers have carried out crime prevention research in areas as diverse as metal theft, theft from shopping trolleys, bag theft from cafes, bicycle theft, child sexual abuse, Internet child exploitation, cash-in-transit robbery, organised crime, corruption, human trafficking, fly-tipping, and crime in resource limited settings. Two key evaluation studies with significant implications for crime prevention policy and practice are Professor Kate Bowers and colleagues' research on the extent of crime displacement following the implementation of situational strategies, and Professor Nick Tilley and colleagues' research on the role increased security has played in the international crime drop since the 1990s. 

A major current focus for this group is the What Works Centre for Crime Reduction. The Centre, hosted by the College of Policing, is part of a world-leading network of centres providing robust, comprehensive evidence to guide public spending decisions. A multi-university, £3.2 Commissioned Partnership Programme of research, led by Professor Laycock, is creating the content for this Centre by undertaking a series of systematic reviews of research on practices and interventions to reduce crime, and creating tools and guidance for police and other crime reduction stakeholders to target their resources more effectively.

Research group

Browse our researchers, including full profile and links to publications.

• Dr Herve Borrion
• Dr Noemie Bouhana
• Professor Kate Bowers
• Dr Ella Cockbain
• Professor Shane D Johnson
• Professor Gloria Laycock
• Dr Aiden Sidebottom
• Professor Nick Tilley
• Lisa Tompson
• Professor Richard Wortley
• Professor Ron Clarke (Visiting)
• Professor Ken Pease (Visiting)
• Barry Webb (Visiting)

PhD students

• David Perez Esparza: Firearms prevalence: a multidimensional strategy for the prediction of crime and violence

Current projects

• What Works Centre for Crime Reduction

Completed projects

• LANTERNS: Evaluating street lighting impact

Impact and reviews

• Case study: New approaches to reducing crime

Research contact

If you have any enquiries about our work in this particular area of research, please contact:
Group lead: Professor Richard Wortley
Email: r.wortley@ucl.ac.uk
Tel: 020 3108 3206