Rapid Evidence Assessment on Public Information about Crime and Policing

This Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) synthesized literature on police communication and its impact on public perceptions.

Eleven studies were identified that reported information provision about crime or policing activities, and the subsequent effect on public perceptions (mostly satisfaction with the police or fear about crime). In general, communication (whether by crime map or newsletters) had some positive effects and few negative outcomes. The delivery method (whether by post or face-to-face, for example) may be more important than the actual presentation, but more research is required on this issue. Furthermore, the content of the communication seems to be quite important. A further nine studies reported the implementation of a communication initiative without evaluating the outcomes. However, the there are gaps in the evidence base, and several of the studies were of low quality.

Evidence

Study Author(s) Country Year Study Method Source
A randomized experimental study of sharing crime data with citizens: Do maps produce more fear? Journal of Experimental Criminology, 1(1), 87-115. Groff, E. R., Kearley, B., Fogg, H., Beatty, P., Couture, H., & Wartell, J. US 2005 RCT Link
Awareness of community-oriented policing and neighborhood perceptions in five small to midsize cities. Journal of Criminal Justice, 33(1), 43-54. Adams, R. E., Rohe, W. M., & Arcury, T. A. US 2005 Survey Link
Communication Channel. Police Review, (12 September), 16-17. Adams, D. UK 1997 Non research Search
Crime Mapping and Analysis by Community Organizations in Hartford, Connecticut. Washington, DC: US Dept. of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice. Rich, T. US 2001 Survey Link
Crime MAPS: Evolution and Revolution. Crime Mapping News, 7(4), 1-5. Wartell, J. US 2007 Non research Search
Crime prevention in cyberspace. Crime Prevention News, (April-May-June), 10-11. Silverman, V. UK 1998 Non research Search
Crime stoppers. Museums Journal, 7(103), 32-35. Heywood, F. UK 2003 Non research Search
Improving public attitudes to the criminal justice system: the impact of information. London: Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. Chapman, B., Mirrlees-Black, C., & Brawn, C. UK 2002 Survey & intervention Link
Inform, persuade and remind. An evaluation of a project to improve public confidence in the Criminal Justice System. London: Ministry of Justice. Singer, L., & Cooper, S. UK 2008 RCT Link
Information Provision to the Public: the Impact of Newsletters on Public Perceptions. London: Metropolitan Police, Strategic Research and Analysis Unit, Strategy and Improvement Department. Wunsch, D., & Hohl, K. UK 2008 Intervention Search
Law Enforcement Web Sites: New Utility for a New Era. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 70(8), 6-9. Eisenberg, C. B., & Porter, B. US 2001 Non research Search
Making Sense of Emergency Advice: Public Perceptions of the Terrorist Risk. Security Journal, 20(2), 77-95. Kearon, T., Mythen, G., & Walklate, S. UK 2007 Survey Link
On the map. Policing Today, 14(4), 29-31. Allan, B. 2008 Non research Search
Public attitudes to the criminal justice system: the impact of providing information to British Crime Survey respondents. London: Home Office. Salisbury, H. UK 2004 Survey & intervention Link
Reducing fear of crime in Houston and Newark. Washington, DC: Police Foundation/National Institute of Justice. Pate, A., Wycoff, M. A., Skogan, W., & Sherman, L. US 1986 Survey & intervention Link
Sex offender notification and fear of victimization. Journal of Criminal Justice, 32(5), 455-463. Beck, V. S., & Travis, L. F. US 2004 Survey Link
The Citizenship and Crime Project: A New Initiative to Reduce Youth Crime. Childright, (148), 10-11. Atkinson, L. UK 1998 Non research Search
Tilley Award winners: Tackling the fear of crime. Community Safety Journal, 6(4), 25. Williams, N. UK 2007 Non research Search
to fight crime. Government Computing Magazine, (November), 28-28. Anonymous UK 2006 Non research Search
Transmitting information about crime and crime prevention to citizens: The Evanston newsletter quasi-experiment. Journal of Police Science and Administration, 11(4), 11. Lavrakas, P. J., Rosenbaum, D. P., & Kaminski, F. UK 1983 Intervention Search

Analysis - 20 studies

If possible, create a .

Age of Study

Over 10 years - 7.00 (35.0 %) 6-10 years - 7.00 (35.0 %) 3-5 years - 6.00 (30.0 %)

Country of Origin

Unknown - 1.00 (5.0 %) US - 7.00 (35.0 %) UK - 12.00 (60.0 %)

Study Method

RCT - 2.00 (10.0 %) Intervention - 2.00 (10.0 %) Survey & intervention - 3.00 (15.0 %) Non research - 9.00 (45.0 %) Survey - 4.00 (20.0 %)

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08 February 2012 17:58 • Matrix Evidence Web Archive v2012.3005