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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 6 October 2023

Mary S. Mangai, Tyanai Masiya and Galaletsang Masemola

This paper aims to explore police perspectives on community engagement strategies within the context of crime prevention in South Africa, focusing on Johannesburg metropolitan…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore police perspectives on community engagement strategies within the context of crime prevention in South Africa, focusing on Johannesburg metropolitan police stations. The study’s objective is to scrutinise the effectiveness and challenges of community policing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a qualitative research approach, this study conducted unstructured interviews with station commanders and visible policing officers across 10 Johannesburg metropolitan police stations.

Findings

The findings reveal that community policing strategies, such as community–policing forums, sector policing, street patrollers and social media utilisation, can effectively engage communities as partners in crime prevention. However, certain challenges such as resource limitations and difficulties in policing-specific regions, were also identified.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the broader understanding of community–policing partnerships and the practical implications of community–policing strategies in South Africa, suggesting areas for improvement and adaptation to the unique South African context. This knowledge can help optimise efforts to foster stronger relationships between police and communities, bolster public trust and ultimately improve crime prevention outcomes.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 April 2024

Jessica Rene Peterson, Kyle C. Ward and Michaela Lawrie

The purpose is to understand how farmers in rural American communities perceive crime, safety and policing.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose is to understand how farmers in rural American communities perceive crime, safety and policing.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey, adapted from a version used in Victoria, Australia (Harkness, 2017), was modified and administered through social media and farming organizations throughout three US states. The survey covers topics relating to crime and victimization, feelings of safety or fear in rural areas, policing practices and trust in police in their areas and any crime prevention practices that respondents use.

Findings

With nearly 1,200 respondents and four scales investigated, results indicate that those respondents with more favorable views of law enforcement and the criminal justice system had the highest fear of crime, those who had been prior victims of crime had a higher fear of crime than those who did not, those with higher community involvement had higher fear of crime, and those from Nebraska compared to Colorado had higher fear of crime.

Research limitations/implications

A better understanding of the agricultural community’s perceptions of crime, safety and policing will aid law enforcement in community policing efforts and in farm crime investigation and prevention. Limitations of the study, including the distribution method will be discussed.

Originality/value

Farm- and agriculture-related crimes have serious financial and emotional consequences for producers and local economies. Stereotypes about rural areas being “safe with no crime” are still prevalent. Rural American farmers’ perceptions of crime, safety and police are largely absent from the literature and are important for improving farm crime prevention.

Details

Policing: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 24 October 2023

Sangjun Park and Cynthia Lum

A considerable amount of police evaluation research focuses on innovative approaches to reduce crime at places. This is hardly coincidental; policing and place-based scholars have…

Abstract

Purpose

A considerable amount of police evaluation research focuses on innovative approaches to reduce crime at places. This is hardly coincidental; policing and place-based scholars have found crime is highly concentrated, and when police focus on these places, they can prevent and reduce crime. The regularity of such findings led Weisburd (2015) to assert the existence of a “law of crime concentration.” Given that bold assertion, the authors test whether the law of crime concentration is generalizable to one of the most common public safety concerns that police handle—traffic crashes.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine whether the law of crime concentration applies to traffic crashes, the authors examined crash locations and times in all counties in Utah across four years. Following and expanding on Weisburd's methods, the authors calculate the bandwidth of concentration for these crashes and analyze various types by severity and possible explanations for variations in crash concentrations across the state.

Findings

A small proportion of street segments and intersections experience a disproportionately high number of crashes, and the degree of concentration of crashes may be even higher than that of crime. Further, there are variations in the levels of crash concentration across counties and in the severity of injuries resulting from the crashes.

Practical implications

Place-based criminologists and policing scholars have not often explored traffic crashes in their analyses. Yet, traffic problems take up a significant amount of law enforcement time and resources and are often priorities for most law enforcement agencies. Given what the authors know from traffic, policing and crime and place research, targeted approaches at micro traffic crash hot spots can be beneficial for public safety prevention.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore the application of Weisburd's Law of Crime Concentration to traffic crashes. Given that police spend a significant amount of time and resources on traffic-related problems in their jurisdiction, finding more effective, evidence-based approaches to address this public safety concern should be a high priority for police and researchers alike.

Details

Policing: An International Journal, vol. 46 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 January 2024

Hillary Shiverenje Songole

CPTED’s premise to the improvement of quality of life (QOL) is crime prevention and safety, and yet there is little concern for the impact of CPTED implementation to QOL when the…

Abstract

Purpose

CPTED’s premise to the improvement of quality of life (QOL) is crime prevention and safety, and yet there is little concern for the impact of CPTED implementation to QOL when the crime increases after the interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study systematically analyzed articles both quantitatively and qualitatively.

Findings

This study found that the CPTED–QOL relationship discussion was highly inadequate in research. Improvement of QOL has been elevated to an unquestionable and certain truth of CPTED and yet the evidence on this is highly inconclusive.

Originality/value

This study is a contribution to the CPTED–QOL discussion that has been lacking.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 May 2023

Tingting Li, Mohd Zamre Mohd Zahir and Hasani Mohd Ali

This study aims to make some contribution to the process of corporate compliance governance in China.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to make some contribution to the process of corporate compliance governance in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts qualitative method, literature research, case analysis and comparative methods to explore the Chinese compliance governance model in the field of collusive bidding crimes.

Findings

In the process of criminal prosecution of enterprises suspected of committing crimes, the judicial authorities should promote the restoration of normal production and operation of corporate enterprises by promoting the construction of corporate compliance, which is conducive to solving the difficult problem of attribution of collusive bidding crimes. In addition, corporate compliance under prosecutorial supervision is also conducive to optimizing the regulatory path of collusive bidding and achieving more effective prevention and control of unit crimes in the mode of co-regulation between the state and corporate.

Originality/value

Compliance governance corporate crime is at a nascent stage in China, and this study seeks to provide some reference for future compliance review governance in China through the analysis of specific business crime cases.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 October 2023

Rasha Kassem and Elisabeth Carter

This paper aims to systematically review over two decades of academic articles on romance fraud to provide a holistic insight into this crime and identify literature gaps.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to systematically review over two decades of academic articles on romance fraud to provide a holistic insight into this crime and identify literature gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

More than two decades of peer-reviewed academic journal articles from 2000 to 2023 were systematically reviewed using multiple search engines and databases for relevant papers, identified through searches of paper titles, keywords, abstracts and primary texts.

Findings

The findings reveal 10 themes: i) the definitions and terminology of romance fraud; ii) romance fraud’s impact on victims; iii) the profile of romance fraud criminals and victims; iv) romance fraud methods and techniques; v) why victims become susceptible to romance fraud; vi) the psychology of romance fraud criminals; vii) the links between romance fraud and other crimes; viii) the challenges of investigating romance fraud; ix) preventing romance fraud and protecting victims; and x) how romance fraud victims can be supported.

Practical implications

The paper reveals implications regarding the future direction of policy and strategy to address the pervasive low reporting rates and narratives of shame bound with victims of this crime.

Originality/value

Romance fraud is a serious crime against individuals with impacts beyond financial losses. Still, this fraud type is under-researched, and the literature lacks a holistic view of this crime. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic literature review providing a holistic view of romance fraud. It combines evidence across the academic landscape to reveal the breadth and depth of the current work concerning romance fraud and identify gaps in the understanding of this fraud crime.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 19 October 2023

Tinna Dögg Sigurdardóttir, Lee Rainbow, Adam Gregory, Pippa Gregory and Gisli Hannes Gudjonsson

The present study aims to examine the scope and contribution of behavioural investigative advice (BIA) reports from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

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Abstract

Purpose

The present study aims to examine the scope and contribution of behavioural investigative advice (BIA) reports from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Design/methodology/approach

The 77 BIA reports reviewed were written between 2016 and 2021. They were evaluated using Toulmin’s (1958) strategy for structuring pertinent arguments, current compliance with professional standards, the grounds and backing provided for the claims made and the potential utility of the recommendations provided.

Findings

Consistent with previous research, most of the reports involved murder and sexual offences. The BIA reports met professional standards with extremely high frequency. The 77 reports contained a total of 1,308 claims of which 99% were based on stated grounds. A warrant and/or backing was provided for 73% of the claims. Most of the claims in the BIA reports involved a behavioural evaluation of the crime scene and offender characteristics. The potential utility of the reports was judged to be 95% for informative behavioural crime scene analysis and 40% for potential new lines of enquiry.

Practical implications

The reports should serve as a model for the work of behavioural investigative advisers internationally.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to systematically evaluate BIA reports commissioned by the NCA; it adds to previous similar studies by evaluating the largest number of BIA reports ever reviewed, and uniquely provides judgement of overall utility.

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2023

Olha Bondarenko, Maryna Utkina, Oleg Reznik and Mykhailo Dumchikov

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new methodology for the interaction of law enforcement agencies with each other, financial institutions and other legal entities in the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a new methodology for the interaction of law enforcement agencies with each other, financial institutions and other legal entities in the field of counteracting and combating the legalization of criminal income as a prerequisite for increasing the effectiveness of their activity in the area of countering and combating money laundering, which will improve the conditions for the development of the financial system and increase the level of living of the population of Ukraine.

Design/methodology/approach

An interdisciplinary approach was used during the writing of the paper. In particular, legal techniques, analysis and generalization, sociological research, questionnaires, etc., were used.

Findings

This paper demonstrates the need for a comprehensive approach to effectively building cooperation between law enforcement agencies in another money laundering. A proposal is made to improve the interaction between law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and other legal entities by creating a single database of information on money laundering and suspicious transactions and involving financial intelligence units in the process of investigating cases of money laundering.

Practical implications

Law enforcement agencies can use the proposed approach to ensure the effectiveness of their activities in counteracting and combating money laundering.

Originality/value

The authors have developed a new approach to improving the interaction of law enforcement agencies in the field of counteracting and combating money laundering, which involves the creation of a single database of information on money laundering and suspicious transactions, as well as the involvement of financial intelligence units in the process of detecting and investigating cases of money laundering.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2024

Keshnee Padayachee

This investigation serves a dual purpose: providing preliminary results and serving as a pilot study to confirm the viability of the hypotheses advanced towards a full-scale…

Abstract

Purpose

This investigation serves a dual purpose: providing preliminary results and serving as a pilot study to confirm the viability of the hypotheses advanced towards a full-scale study. This paper aims to present the preliminary findings of an investigation that explored the constructs of personality traits and situational crime prevention theory (SCPT) as antecedents to social cognitive determinants (attitude, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms using the theory of planned behaviour [TPB] framing) and how these elements subsequently estimate compliant information security behaviour. Moreover, this paper delves into the contrasting influences of light and dark personality traits on insider information security compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to study SCPT measures and the personality factors dyad using a diverse but limited sample (n = 82).

Findings

There were ten significant direct relationships between SCPT factors and personality traits related to the components of the TPB. Seventeen hypotheses were not supported. However, these findings highlight the complexity of the topic under study.

Practical implications

Understanding individual differences within the compliance model could be used for custom training protocols, employee selection, assignment and specific types of information security interventions.

Originality/value

There is a scarcity of studies considering the effects of situational and personality factors, specifically the dark versus light triad of personality traits within the information security domain. Therefore, this preliminary result provides early insight that could guide further studies. This research could have important implications for organisations at risk of insider attacks.

Details

Information & Computer Security, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2056-4961

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 March 2024

Kyle Mulrooney, Karen Bullock, Christian Mouhanna and Alistair Harkness

This article examines challenges and strategies related to police relationships and engagement with rural communities in England and Wales, Australia and France. It aims to bridge…

Abstract

Purpose

This article examines challenges and strategies related to police relationships and engagement with rural communities in England and Wales, Australia and France. It aims to bridge a gap in knowledge around how police balance public demands with organisational and contextual constraints, exploring the role of communication technology in overcoming geographical and cultural barriers in rural policing.

Design/methodology/approach

The research draws upon 121 semi-structured interviews conducted across three distinct jurisdictions. In the United Kingdom and Australia, interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams, while face-to-face interviews were conducted in France. Participants were recruited through the purposive sampling of police working in rural areas. The data were thematically analysed using NVivo Software.

Findings

Rural communities have low expectations of policing services, a consequence of geography, organisational structures and limited resource allocation. Building relationships can be challenging owing to isolation and terrain, the need for officers to have local and cultural knowledge, and difficulties in recruiting officers in rural posts. Technology-mediated communication has played a part in the solutions (e.g. social media). However, this may not always be suitable owing to limited connectivity, citizen and police preferences for communication and engagement, and the institutional and cultural nuances surrounding the application of technology.

Originality/value

This article provides empirical insights into the attitudes and experiences of rural police officers, highlighting the distinctive policing context and engagement needs of rural communities. The research underscores the necessity for contextually aware engagement. It suggests that while technology-mediated communication offers some solutions to spatial challenges, its effectiveness may be limited by access, generational preferences and the adaptability of police institutions and cultures.

Details

Policing: An International Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

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