Summary
This report contends that Government policy and spending on crime has been concentrated on enforcement, rather than on preventive measures. Although recent initiatives (since 2007) have focused on social exclusion and families at risk, there are still serious shortcomings in policy, that mean that funding is piecemeal, there is no systematic evaluation of programmes, responsibilities are confused and there is no effective co-ordination and leadership. The report identifies 'what works': it describes ten programmes that target risk factors at various ages and that have proved to be effective and cost-effective in other countries. The report also notes two approaches which do not work, provides examples of national structures for crime prevention from other countries, discusses funding options for and implementation of social interventions, and makes recommendations.