CCTV in deprived neighbourhoods – a short-time follow-up of effects on crime and crime clearance

ABSTRACT CCTV is associated with reductions in property crime and narcotics crime, but mainly in parking lots and residential areas. Recent findings from Sweden have suggested that the association of CCTV with crime may be different in deprived neighbourhoods where criminal networks exert alarge influence. In addition, much less research has been done on the impact of CCTV on crime clearance. The present study follows up on this by considering changes in crime, and crime clearance, associated with CCTV in three deprived neighbourhoods in Gothenburg. Changes in recorded crime for seven crime types and their clearance rate is followed. The changes are compared with changes at similar locations in six other deprived neighbourhoods. The results show that relative to controls, violence was significantly reduced at treatment areas. No significant change was noted for property crime. Crime clearance rates increased at treatment areas relative to controls for both property crimes and violent crimes, but no change was significant. This suggests aneed for further study on contextual differences of different locations for CCTV, to ascertain whether the effect on violence in deprived neighbourhoods can be replicated. It also raises questions on whether the CCTV is cost-effective.