NCJ Number
133243
Date Published
Unknown
Length
22 pages
Annotation
National and local crime prevention developments in the Netherlands have focused on the costs of crime and specific crime prevention measures.
Abstract
In 1989, Dutch companies were victimized by criminal damage, burglary, theft, threats/assaults, arson, shoplifting, insurance fraud, and employee fraud. Fifty percent of total crime costs in the Netherlands are born by industry, 33 percent by the public, 11 percent by local government, and 6 percent by central government. Clearly, the business world appears to be the prime victim of crime in economic terms. Expressed as percentages of turnover, crime costs are relatively severe for the wholesale, retail, hotel/catering, and service sectors. Retailers appear to be the sector most severely hit by crime. In the 1980's, victim policies and crime prevention measures have expanded to include target hardening, crime prevention through environmental design, defensible space, situational crime prevention, and opportunity reduction. Crime prevention initiatives in the 1980's have also encompassed the idea of informal social control within communities through neighborhood watch and similar schemes. The organization of social crime prevention in the Netherlands is discussed along with crime prevention case studies involving public transport, schools, diversion, public housing, and retail stores. A 5-year policy plan promulgated by the Netherlands' Minister of Justice is noted that incorporates priorities related to improved security, standardized security products and services, municipal bylaws and licensing systems to prevent crime, socialization of high-risk groups, job and training programs for ex-detainees and high-risk groups, and neighborhood-based crime prevention projects. 36 references and 11 figures