Birkbeck University to evaluate What Works Centre for Crime Reduction

Birkbeck, University

Birkbeck is one of eight universities in a consortium which has today been announced as the successful bidder for an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) grant, in partnership with the College of Policing, to support a programme for the What Works Centre for Crime Reduction. The three-year programme will build more evidence around what really works in reducing crime.

The commissioned partnership will draw together a strong collaboration of leading UK universities, the police service and crime reduction partners. The work will develop academic capacity within the UK to map the existing evidence base for crime reduction, evaluate it for quality, cost and impact and make it easily accessible for practitioners and decision-makers. It will inform the police service and their partners about how to tackle pressing crime reduction issues.

Professor Mike Hough, Birkbeck, said, “This is a very significant project. It has the potential to make a real contribution to the professionalization of UK policing. I am delighted that the Institute for Criminal Policy Research at Birkbeck will be mounting an independent evaluation of the overall programme.”

The College of Policing Chair, Professor Shirley Pearce said: “This partnership marks an important step in developing the evidence-based approach to policing which is being led by the College of Policing. It will significantly strengthen links between the academic sector, the police service and their crime reduction partners."

"By developing the skill base of practitioners in relation to their understanding, appraisal and use of evidence they will be able to make more informed decisions when implementing crime reduction interventions."

"Importantly the work of the university consortium will also contribute to increased public awareness of successful crime reduction methods, highlight areas where further research and development are needed and inform and improve national debates on policies relating to effective crime reduction through seminars and conferences."

ESRC chief executive Paul Boyle said: "We are delighted to be part of a nationally co-ordinated initiative that will strengthen the use of evidence for policy and practice, for the benefit of Whitehall, local communities and the public."