Participation in Neighbourhood Watch: Findings From the 1992 British Crime Survey

• NCJ Number: 150739
• Author(s): L Dowds; P Mayhew
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 4 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Great Britain Home Office
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Research Findings no. 11. US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, International Crime Statistics Program.

Annotation

Findings from the 1988 and 1992 British Crime Survey pertain to citizens' involvement in Neighborhood Watch (NW) programs.

Abstract

In each sweep, approximately 10,000 people aged 16 or over were interviewed. All respondents were asked about NW membership, and half were then asked additional questions about their security precautions and any NW activities. Findings show that NW continues to increase in popularity. The proportion of households who were members of NW programs increased from 14 percent in 1988 to 20 percent in 1992. Membership increased particularly among the elderly and in the South West, the East Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humberside. In both 1988 and 1992, NW flourished more in areas where risks of burglary were relatively low. Where risks were higher, NW programs were fewer. NW members were more likely than nonmembers to report suspicious incidents to the police. Both NW members and nonmembers improved their security in some respects over the period. Indicators of program activity have shown little change since 1988, although in 1992 members were much more likely to have told their neighbors when their homes were empty. 3 tables and 2 figures