Working Collaboratively to Develop Evidence-Based Practice – A Case Study of Developing ‘What Works’ Thinking Crime Prevention Interventions

• In Event: Roundtable: Drawing Lessons and Learning From a Merseyside Based Police Service and University Co-Production Research Partnership

Abstract

This presentation, informed by collaborative research activity made possible through the Police Knowledge Fund, examines the effectiveness of the media related to a recent Policing Operation built around a crime prevention marketing campaign, aimed 1) at deterring offenders from participating in business robbery/burglary crime types, and 2) highlighting crime prevention advice to local homeowners in order to prevent further offences targeting households or vehicles. The effectiveness of the media campaign undertaken is examined on two separate plains, the first being the general public who both reside and shop in the targeted area, as well as business owners who participated in a trial study for the use of electronic counter robbery and theft devices installed in their businesses, hoping that the threat of this technology would deter criminal behaviour and make themselves, their employees and their premises safer. The presentation will explore how practitioners and academics can collaboratively work together to more effectively develop research that better gauges practice impact. In the example here that extends to measuring the expectations and experiences of business owners both before and after the installation of crime prevention technology, and exploring wider public attitudes/anxieties reported by members of local communities within the targeted Policing area.

Author

• Carl McNulty, Liverpool John Moores University