The Impact of the Use of CCTV Cameras on the Crime Rate - Essay Example

Outline and Evaluate 2 Research Papers on CCTV Brief Summary: Does Closed Circuit Television Prevent Crime? An Evaluation of the use of CCTV Surveillance Cameras in Airdrie Town Centre CCTV is being used in public places throughout UK as a method for preventing crime. Contrary to the reason for use, there little evidence as to whether this is an effective measure for preventing and elimination crime. As a result a research was conducted by the Scottish Office to determine whether the close circuit television (CCTV), helped prevent crime in Airdrie. The Airdrie CCTV scheme is the first of its kind in Scotland and has been established since 1992. The aims of the study were to assess the impact of CCTV on the crime rates in the regions which are covered by CCTV and to determine whether CCTV has any effects relating to the detection of law offenders or criminals. The study also aimed to determine whether the presence of CCTV in certain regions shifted the crime scene to other regions not covered by the CCTV. The methodology used for the study included recording crime figures on a periodic basis before the starting two years prior to the installation of CCTV leading up to two years after the set up CCTV in the region. The figures calculated for each crime and offence category were recorded in average and the results were smoothed out to allow for eradication of seasonal variations in the crime rate. The findings for the research showed that crime offences decreased by 21% in the two years following the installation and set up CCTV in Airdrie The largest decline was apparent for crimes relating to housebreaking, theft and motor vehicle theft. The exact percentage for the decrease in these crimes was 48 percent in the two years following the set up CCTV in the region. Crimes relating to arson and vandalism of property fell by 19 % The police were able to identify and stop 16% more crimes in the two years following the set up CCTV in the region. The research gave no evidence whether crime shifted from regions which were covered by the CCTV to the regions which were not covered by the CCTV Conclusively stated the use of CCTV broadcast in Airdrie to prevent crimes has actually resulted in reducing crime in the regions covered by the CCTV. Seen and Not Heard: Talking to the Targets of Open Street CCTV Open street surveillance in the form of Close Circuit Television, CCTV, has been increasing steadily in the UK since the first set up in Airdrie in 1992. Since 1994 though the UK government as well as the District Councils have been spending much of he government’s funding on setting up and installing CCTV cameras and equipment throughout the country in a attempt to reduce the crime rate. Although previous studies have helped determine that the use of CCTV does help reduce crime, none of them has been able to identify whether the crime gets displaced and shifted to other regions not covered by the CCTV. The aim of this study was to determine the displacement of crimes which may exist. The methodology that was used for this study included directly talking with and interviews with a sample of 30 crime offenders who were either on probation or on community service. There comments on the establishments on the CCTV and the issue of re-offending were recorded. The findings for the study revealed that: Most of crime offenders mentioned that they indulged into crime because they were poor and bored. Another main reason for the offenders to take to crime was because they were using drugs or consuming alcohol and required easy and fast money to fund their requirements. The public awareness caused by the government and police concerning the CCTV set up helped the crime offenders be vary and prepared for the CCTV established. As they indulged in crime heavily before the CCTVs could be set in order to compensate for the loss of future opportunity The crime offenders were also able to determine what places were blind sports for the CCTV cameras by careful observation and trial and error. While some of the respondents claimed that the presence of the CCTV cameras made them feel more some, others also mentioned that they only made them self-conscious and the issue of mistaken identity was also predominant The respondents claimed that the presence of CCTV cameras did not help prevent the crime as the offenders could always commit the crime while hiding their identity and then run away without the police being able to identify what had happened until it was too late. Strength and Weaknesses of Each Paper’s Theoretical Perspective: The study pertaining to the topic ‘Does Closed Circuit Television Prevent Crime?’ is based on the fact that crime displacement and crime rate trend had not been recorded and compared to provide any evidence concerning the effect of the CCTV on the crime rate. Previously evaluation had been made but not substantial evidence was provided. With this study information collected in the previous researches and literature review helped narrow down the research topic. In the study titled ‘Seen and Now Heard’, the focus is on the opinions of the crime offenders on the effectiveness of the CCTV installation. The study derives its research questions from the previous studies which showed that although crime rate had decreased due to the set up and presence of CCTV the drug use and dealings had increased all over the area despite the presence of CCTV or not. This study also aimed at identifying the reason for the crime taking place in the region by directly interviewing the crime offenders. Strength and Weaknesses of Each Paper’s Methodological Approach: The study for pertaining to ‘Does Closed Circuit Television Prevent Crime?’ was a qualitative research which used data collection in form of number of reported crimes in the area prior to as well as after the installation of CCTV. Statistic analysis was done to determine the trends for crime rate changes in the region. This form of research is reliable as it reports on the facts and can be generalised to other similar regions with CCTV installations as well. The credibility of the research depends upon the source from where the data for the analysis was collected i.e. the crime reports. The validity of the methodology and the findings relative to the research objectives was positive as the methodology did attempt to find the effect of CCTV on the crime rate. As this was a quantitative research with little and no outside human interaction aside from that to access the crime records, this study does not infringe upon any issues pertaining to ethics. However the possibility of the searcher bias towards the topic is still there as the study was conducted by the Scottish Government who might want to report the findings in a positive light. The study titled ‘Seen and Now Heard’, used a qualitative method for collecting information to perform and support the research. The researcher collected 30 respondents who were crime offenders and were on probation or serving in the community service. They took interviews from these respondents to record their reasons for committing the crimes they were charged for and for determining their views towards the CCTV cameras. The reliability and validity of this method is not certain as the respondents were themselves crime offenders and their opinion could and probably would be very different from the rest of the community. Aside from this the findings of this research cannot be generalized as the study is qualitative and the views of these respondents cannot stand true for others in similar regions. The ethical issues involved in the research include the possibility of researcher bias as well as the fact that the researchers would have to get a permission signed by the respondents which would ensure their anonymity and confidentiality of their opinions to be limited to the research only. The Principle of Reflexivity: In both the studies the researchers provided the exact methodology used for carrying out the research, the data collection as well as for analysing the data. In the study for pertaining to ‘Does Closed Circuit Television Prevent Crime?’ it is provided that the crime figures were recorded on a periodic basis and on occurrence basis both before the starting two years prior to the installation of CCTV leading up to two years after the set up CCTV in the region. The figures calculated for each crime and offence category were recorded in average and the results were smoothed out to allow for eradication of seasonal variations in the crime rate. In the study titled ‘Seen and Now Heard’, the sample size as well as the sampled characteristics like the age and the gender of the respondents was provided. Further more the past histories and the offence characteristics for the respondents were also provided. Aside from this general opinions as well as the opinions of the respondents were directly quoted in the research. An Evaluation of the Contribution of both the Researches Taken Together: When combined both the researches provide a comprehensive view of the effect of the investment by the UK government in the CCTV cameras and equipment. They also provide the prevalent reasons for the crime occurrence in the region in the first place and what the public opinion is about the CCTV installation throughout UK. This research would help the policymakers determine strategies for eliminating crime at the root level. The studies suggest that crime offenders were forced into a life of petty crime because of poverty, boredom as well as addiction to alcohol and drugs. The government could take measures to provide better facilities to the poor as well as reduce the level of poverty in the country in an attempt to reduce crime. References 1. Short E., Ditton J., (1996), “Does Closed Circuit Television Prevent Crime? An Evaluation of the Use of CCTV Surveillance Cameras in Airdrie Town Centre”, The Scottish Office Central Research Unit, Edinburgh. Available at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/resfinds/crf08-00.htm 2. Short E., Ditton J., (1998), “Seen and now heard: talking to the targets of open street CCTV.”, British Journal of Criminology, Vol. 38. Available at: http://bjc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/38/3/404 3. Shipman M., (1997), “The Limitations of Social Research”, Longman: London, 4th Ed. Available at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0582311039/ref=sib_dp_bod_toc/002-7029325-3912822?ie=UTF8&p=S003#reader-link 4. (2002), “Statement of Ethical Practice for the British Sociological Association” Read More

The aims of the study were to assess the impact of CCTV on the crime rates in the regions which are covered by CCTV and to determine whether CCTV has any effects relating to the detection of law offenders or criminals. The study also aimed to determine whether the presence of CCTV in certain regions shifted the crime scene to other regions not covered by the CCTV.

The methodology used for the study included recording crime figures on a periodic basis before the starting two years prior to the installation of CCTV leading up to two years after the setup of CCTV in the region. The figures calculated for each crime and offence category were recorded on average and the results were smoothed out to allow for the eradication of seasonal variations in the crime rate.

The study titled ‘Seen and Now Heard’, used a qualitative method for collecting information to perform and support the research. The researcher collected 30 respondents who were crime offenders and were on probation or serving in the community service. They took interviews from these respondents to record their reasons for committing the crimes they were charged for and for determining their views towards the CCTV cameras. The reliability and validity of this method are not certain as the respondents were themselves crime offenders and their opinion could and probably would be very different from the rest of the community. Aside from this, the findings of this research cannot be generalized as the study is qualitative and the views of these respondents cannot stand true for others in similar regions. The ethical issues involved in the research include the possibility of researcher bias as well as the fact that the researchers would have to get permission signed by the respondents which would ensure their anonymity and confidentiality of their opinions to be limited to the research only.

The Principle of Reflexivity:

In both the studies the researchers provided the exact methodology used for carrying out the research, the data collection as well as for analyzing the data.

In the study pertaining to ‘Does Closed Circuit Television Prevent Crime?’ it is provided that the crime figures were recorded on a periodic basis and on an occurrence basis both before the starting two years prior to the installation of CCTV leading up to two years after the setup CCTV in the region. The figures calculated for each crime and offence category were recorded on average and the results were smoothed out to allow for the eradication of seasonal variations in the crime rate.

In the study titled ‘Seen and Now Heard’, the sample size, as well as the sampled characteristics like the age and the gender of the respondents were provided. Furthermore, the past histories and the offence characteristics for the respondents were also provided. Aside from this general opinions as well as the opinions of the respondents were directly quoted in the research.

An Evaluation of the Contribution of both the Researches Taken Together:

When combined both the researches provide a comprehensive view of the effect of the investment by the UK government in the CCTV cameras and equipment. They also provide the prevalent reasons for the crime that occurred in the region in the first place and what the public opinion is about the CCTV installation throughout the UK.

            This research would help the policymakers determine strategies for eliminating crime at the root level. The studies suggest that crime offenders were forced into a life of petty crime because of poverty, boredom as well as addiction to alcohol and drugs. The government could take measures to provide better facilities to the poor as well as reduce the level of poverty in the country in an attempt to reduce crime.

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