ABSTRACT
In the past ten years crime figures in the UK have shown a decline in several types of offences, including burglary and antisocial behaviour. There are several factors to explain this, not least the Labour government’s ‘tough on crime’ policy initiatives, such as ‘Safer Neighbourhoods’ and the Youth Crime Action Plan. But while the criminal justice system (police and crown prosecution services, the courts system and prisons and probation services) is primarily the province of central government and an independent judiciary, local government plays a major role, individually and in partnership, in preventing crime and promoting safe and secure communities. However, at the local level, crime prevention may be affected by the recent changes in the political and economic landscape as both local authorities and their residents face the reality of reduced incomes and economically precarious futures.
