Not Rocket Science: Problem-solving and Crime Reduction

The Policing and Reducing Crime Unit (PRCU) is based in the Research, Development and Statistics (RDS) Directorate of the Home Office. The Unit carries out and commissions social and management science research on policing and crime reduction, to support Home Office aims and develop evidence-based policy and practice. The Crime Reduction Research Series presents research findings and guidance material relevant to practitioners involved in crime reduction at the local level, and particularly the local crime and disorder partnerships. The series will include work funded under the Government's Crime Reduction Programme as well as other relevant RDS work. Details of how to obtain further copies of this report can be found on the back cover. " The views expressed in this report are those of the author, not necessarily those of the Home Office (nor do they reflect Government policy). " Copies of this publication can be made available in formats accessible to the visually impaired on request. This report describes the findings from research on problem-solving undertaken by staff from the Home Office Policing and Reducing Crime Unit. The work was undertaken in parallel with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's thematic inspection into crime and disorder and crime reduction ('Calling Time on Crime'). The report indicates that, despite widespread support from the police for the concept, high quality problem-solving is still rare in police forces today. Based on an analysis of questionnaires about problem-solving initiatives received from all forces in England and Wales and visits to eight forces, the report identifies the factors that militate for and against the successful adoption of problem-solving. It also provides forces with a useful 'checklist' against which to measure their problem-solving performance. Foreword This work was undertaken at the invitation of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. We are grateful for the opportunity provided to take part in the inspection and to look specifically at problem-solving. There were three inspection teams working in parallel, led by Steve Brookes, Charles Nelson and Stuart Kirby. We thank them for their efforts to negotiate our access to a wide range of personnel in the forces visited. We appreciate also the efforts of liaison officers in forces to meet our initial requests for meetings and for their help in making additional arrangements whilst we were with them. We are indebted to the many respondents who talked to us in the course of the inspection on which this report is …