Tackling Serious and Organised Crime in Local Communities: An Evaluation of Clear, Hold, Build

• In Event: Evaluations of Law Enforcement Strategies and Interventions

Abstract

Clear, Hold, Build (CHB) is an initiative in England and Wales to improve the response to serious and organised crime (SOC) at local level through police and partners delivering co-ordinated enforcement and interventions that tackle the drivers of crime. This paper will describe CHB and the evaluation to estimate its impact on crime and community perceptions, in addition to the factors affecting implementation. Using a quasi-experimental approach, CHB areas were compared to a set of matched control areas. This analysis found a reduction in acquisitive crime. Further analysis revealed reductions in several crime groupings in areas categorised as medium-sized, and in target areas identified using a data-driven approach. Meanwhile, a retrospective survey conducted in CHB areas and statistically matched control areas found no evidence that it improved perceptions and instead, may have had negative effects, though methodological and contextual considerations reduce confidence in these findings. Research with stakeholders showed they value CHB for the framework it provides in fostering collaboration when tackling SOC, though resourcing issues and, in some cases, lack of buy-in were key challenges to implementation. The findings are published on the UK Government website and provide recommendations for designing and delivering CHB in future.

Authors

• Ellie England, Home Office

• Patrick Corcoran, Home Office