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Publications

The following publications have been produced to help councils plan and develop local crime prevention initiatives. Some of the fact sheets explain different crime prevention theories and methodologies, while others are practical tools for developing crime prevention strategies.

    CCTV policy statement and guidelines

    • NSW Government policy statement and guidelines for the establishment and implementation of closed circuit television (CCTV) in public places (PDF 256KB)

    Theories and methodologies

    • Evidence based crime prevention (PDF 256KB)
      This theory is based on interventions with demonstrated effectiveness in preventing crime – using what works best.
    • Situational crime prevention (PDF 295KB)
      This theory focuses on preventing the opportunity for crime to occur by addressing factors that create a "crime hotspot" and characteristics that make people more vulnerable to victimisation.

    • Environmental criminology and crime prevention (PDF 261KB)
      Environmental criminology is the study of how crime, the offender and victimisation relate, first, to particular places and, secondly, to the way that individuals and organisations shape their activities within or around a place.

    • Routine activity theory crime prevention (PDF 93KB)
      Routine activity theory states that a crime occurs when three elements come together – an accessible target, the absence of capable guardians and the presence of a motivated offender.

    • Rational choice crime prevention (PDF 60KB)
      The rational choice crime prevention methodology focuses on an offender's decision-making process, thus providing a framework within which to prevent crime through deterrence.

    • Crime prevention through social development (PDF 228KB)
      This methodology endeavours to bridge the gap between criminal policies and programs, and social support for individuals, families and communities. It does this by tackling the factors that contribute to crime and victimisation, and are amendable to change.

    • Displacement theory and crime prevention (PDF 209KB)
      Displacement theory argues that removing the opportunity for crime or seeking to prevent a crime by changing the situation in which it occurs does not actually prevent crime, but merely moves it around.

    Practical tools

    • Monitoring and evaluating your crime prevention project (PDF 201KB)
      This fact sheet explains how program evaluations should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of your crime prevention program.
    • Stakeholder engagement for crime prevention planning (PDF 194KB)
      This fact sheet identifies the formal agreements that should be in place to ensure effective working relationships with stakeholders.