Assessing the local situation

Local strategies need to be based on a clear understanding of the local situation and avoid making assumptions about the problems and their causes. A problem-solving approach should be a routine activity for the police and partnerships.

This means gathering and analysing information on:

• what crimes are taking place and how often

• where

• when

• why

• who is the offender

• what vehicles and victims are involved

• and how goods are being disposed of.

This section sets out to help in partners with this analysis. It provides summary checklists for suggested local use. It also draws on the principles set out in the "Conjunction of Criminal Opportunity" framework developed by the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. This framework maps out a generic and systematic way of thinking about the chosen crime problem, analysing its immediate causes, considering the entire range of types of intervention possible, putting them together into practical solutions, then implementing, evaluating and adjusting these.

Police records will be an important source of data, but there are many other sources, which can supplement this picture: