Complicated and Complex Crime Prevention and the 2 Feedback Loop Law

Abstract

This paper reports research from the perspective of complex socio-technical systems that offers deep insights into improving crime prevention and avoiding crime prevention failures in Design Out Crime, CPTED and other crime prevention planning and strategy making. The research identified two very different classes of crime prevention intervention. These require very different approaches to their design. Historically, the same approach has been applied to both. The research suggested that many crime prevention failures or underperforming interventions result from this problem. The research identified a clear and obvious line that differentiates the two groups of crime prevention interventions. The research also identified how to address the other class of crime prevention intervention. Examples are given that illustrate the main issues.