Signal crime
Encyclopedia
Signal crime is a concept in reassurance policing. It centres around the theory that certain crime
s or incidents of anti-social behaviour
may act as a "signal" to a community that they are at risk. Examples commonly given are vandalism
of phone boxes and bus shelters, and people dealing drugs. Neighbourhood policing will often focus on reducing signal crimes as this improves perception of community safety.
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
s or incidents of anti-social behaviour
Anti-social behaviour
Anti-social behaviour is behaviour that lacks consideration for others and that may cause damage to society, whether intentionally or through negligence, as opposed to pro-social behaviour, behaviour that helps or benefits society...
may act as a "signal" to a community that they are at risk. Examples commonly given are vandalism
Vandalism
Vandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable...
of phone boxes and bus shelters, and people dealing drugs. Neighbourhood policing will often focus on reducing signal crimes as this improves perception of community safety.