Examining the effect of CCTV in downtown areas

Analysis within the Crime Prevention Research Adviser Framework of the Fukuoka Prefectural Police

Abstract

This study examines the effect of CCTV on crime in two typical Japanese downtown areas: Hakata-Nakasu and Tenjin. Changes in the geographical distribution of violent crime, purse snatching, bicycle theft and car-related crime that occurred in the road during the previous year and the year after implementing CCTV were compared with a control area. It was found that purse snatching, bicycle theft, and car-related crime in Hakata-Nakasu area showed a relative reduction. Crime displacement and diffusion of benefit was another finding. Due to the variation in the installation of CCTV units, there was a difference in the geographical relationship between CCTV and crime in the previous year in the Hakata-Nakasu and Tenjin areas. From these results, it can be concluded that before installing CCTV cameras, it is important to conduct crime analysis to achieve the desired effect of CCTV.