Developmental crime prevention intervenes in young people’s lives who are at risk of exhibiting anti-social behaviour that may later lead to a criminal career. Developmental crime prevention strategies are built around the idea that criminal activity is determined by behavioural and attitudinal patterns, that the individual has been taught and learnt through the developmental stages of their lives (Tremblay and Craig, 1995:151).
There are multiple factors that contribute as to what may later lead to a life of criminality. Such factors are:
In Starley Cross young people are at risk of becoming anti-social and developing criminal behaviours due to the nature of the environment that they are surrounded by. The research carried out by this community safety team identified considerable factors. Anti-social gatherings of rowdy youths and other forms of anti-social behaviour, such as isolation due to fear of crime from peers, or low attainment rates in the neighbourhood school: Starley Cross Junior School; which inhabits many young people from the locality – were seen to be major problems that may lead to youths exhibiting more forms of anti-social behaviour.
Within Developmental Crime Prevention, the social development model is crucial in the understanding of the prevention of youth crime through social control theory and social learning theory. This developmental model ascertains that there are important units of socialization, these are: family, schools, peers and community, which all influence behaviour consecutively. Positive socialization can be achieved, which is the aim of this crime prevention strategy, when youths have the opportunity to be involved in compatible activities where they can build the skills that are necessary to be successfully involved and are rewarded for their positive behaviour. These positive conditions should increase attachments to others which will be another positive reward from the situation. Social bonds to a conformist society reduce association with delinquency and delinquent peer groups which will ultimately prevent delinquent behaviour (Hawkins and Weis 1985:73).
Strategies
One prevention strategy from a developmental standpoint is to eliminate the risk factor of future offending stemming from anti-social behaviour; a way to do this will be to build more Youth Centres to combat the anti-social gatherings that are happening around Starley Cross. By building Youth Centres it will:
- Eliminate anti-social underage drinking
- Provide a positive outlet for young people
- Allow young children to explore a range of hobbies
- Reduce isolation of peers – making a healthier environment in the city
Another prevention strategy would be to redevelop Starley Green, near Manor Estate, to be one, more aesthetically pleasing for the community which will reduce any vandalism/graffiti – a form of anti-social behaviour, this type of developmental strategy falls under the umbrella of Broken Windows Theory (developed by Wilson and Kelling 1982). and two to be able to provide an outlet for all members of the community to enjoy the space, it will create a positive social atmosphere that is needed in Starley Cross.
A biological development programme in an educational format would benefit the Starley Cross community greatly. Holding classes for parents on the need for consistent discipline, in households where there is a chance of there being an already present ‘criminal gene’, would regulate the way that children are registering morally correct behaviours. Norms and values would therefore be instilled in all young people and this would be beneficial to the social cohesion that is needed within the city. Having these programmes would correct the low attainment issue that Starley Cross Junior School is currently facing, and would also reduce the amount of deviant sub-cultures that are present. However there are issues with this strategy such as:
- Short-term solution for a long-term issue
- Parents may not be happy with interference from outsiders
- May feel embarrassed by the idea of attending these programmes
- Funding for these sessions may not be present, will fall on volunteers from the community
Starley Cross Community Safety Team 