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| UK 'failing' on causes of crime | UK 'failing' on causes of crime |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The government has failed to carry out its election pledge to tackle the causes of crime, says a world expert on crime reduction. | |
| Professor Irwin Waller said UK spending and policy had focused on enforcement - police, courts and prisons - and neglected crime prevention measures. | Professor Irwin Waller said UK spending and policy had focused on enforcement - police, courts and prisons - and neglected crime prevention measures. |
| A report for Policy Exchange think tank estimated crime would cost the UK £78bn this year - equal to £3,000 per home. | A report for Policy Exchange think tank estimated crime would cost the UK £78bn this year - equal to £3,000 per home. |
| The Home Office says the risk of being a crime victim is historically low. | The Home Office says the risk of being a crime victim is historically low. |
| Former Prime Minister Tony Blair came into power in 1997 having promised to be "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime". | Former Prime Minister Tony Blair came into power in 1997 having promised to be "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime". |
| 'Widespread failure' | |
| But Professor Waller's report claims little progress will be made until there is a plan for tackling the root causes of crime. | But Professor Waller's report claims little progress will be made until there is a plan for tackling the root causes of crime. |
| Preventing one offender in 10 from ending up in custody would save millions, he argues. | Preventing one offender in 10 from ending up in custody would save millions, he argues. |
| The government's desire for central control is blamed for the "widespread failure" of its crime reduction strategy launched in 2002. | The government's desire for central control is blamed for the "widespread failure" of its crime reduction strategy launched in 2002. |
| The report also criticises ministers for missing meetings of the National Crime Reduction Board. | The report also criticises ministers for missing meetings of the National Crime Reduction Board. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
| Gavin Lockhart, head of Policy Exchange's crime and justice unit and one of the report's authors, said: "After a decade of unprecedented spending on policing, courts and prisons, England and Wales have a recorded crime rate twice that of the European average. | |
| "Prevention will not replace enforcement. But since the 1970s, in Western Europe and elsewhere, methods have been implemented that have reduced both crime and the costs of crime. We urgently need to do the same in this country." | |
| Professor Waller said: "More than 40 years of scientific research has established a body of knowledge to draw upon to deliver programmes that are both effective and cost-effective. | |
| "In the United States, some reap rewards of as much as $25 for every dollar invested, and in the UK, preventing even just one young offender in 10 ending up in custody would save millions of pounds." | |
| Professor Waller, from the University of Ottawa, Canada, is part of the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime. | Professor Waller, from the University of Ottawa, Canada, is part of the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime. |