Evidence-Based Policing Matrix
Neighborhood – Bland et al. (2021)
Study Reference:
Location in the Matrix; Methodological Rigor; Outcome:
Neighborhood; General; Proactive; Very Rigorous: Effective
What police practice or strategy was examined?
This study evaluated the effects of policing foot patrols on violent crime in hot spot areas, averaging two square miles, in Bedfordshire, UK. Officers were assigned to conduct a 15-minute foot patrol in each identified hot spot area and were encouraged to engage with members of the public. Officers assigned to foot patrols in treatment areas were monitored using a handheld GPS device. The GPS devices were monitored and tracked through a GIS dashboard. The GIS dashboard was compiled and provided to senior officers for review.
How was the intervention evaluated?
A crossover randomized controlled trial was used to evaluate the intervention between November 2020 and February 2021. Twenty-one hot spot areas classified as having chronic or frequent serious youth violence were chosen for the study. Each day for a 90-day period, 7 of these areas were randomly assigned to treatment, and 14 were randomly assigned to control. Hot spots only received the foot patrols on days that they were randomly selected to receive them. Displacement was analyzed using 100m buffers around all hot spots.
What were the key findings?
There was a 44% decrease in harm from serious violence (as measured by a crime harm index) and a 40% decrease in the count of public crimes against personal victims in the hot spot areas on days when they were assigned to foot patrol. Results suggested a cumulative effect from repeated patrolling, with the largest differences in crime harm occurring after 3 consecutive days of patrol in the same area. There was no evidence of displacement of serious crime or multi-day residual deterrence (i.e., aftereffects) from the foot patrols.
What were the implications for law enforcement?
The authors note that minimal amounts of foot patrols can prevent serious violent crime, but repeated patrols lead to the largest differences in crime harm. Additionally, the authors emphasize that technology can support the tracking of hot spot policing activities, but agencies must be committed to such tactics for best operationalization.
Where can I find more information about this intervention, similar types of intervention, or related studies?