Crime Prevention and Community Safety

This chapter traces and evaluates both the historic emergence of the modern ‘preventive turn’ as well as the elaboration and institutionalisation of crime prevention and community safety over the last thirty years or so. Focusing on the UK, the evolution and changes over time are situated, where relevant, in a broader international context. The chapter identifies three distinct periods of developments that structure the shifts in crime prevention policy and practices from the 1980s to the present day. It explores the conceptualisation, take-up and advancement of a preventive mentality and practices in relation to situational, social and developmental crime prevention as well as community safety. It goes on to assess the institutionalisation of preventive partnerships and early intervention as distinct forms of governance and their implications for ‘responsibilisation’ and ‘securitisation’. In conclusion, it reflects upon the journey travelled thus far as well as possible future directions in an age of austerity.