Introduction
The United Kingdom continues to develop policies and strategies that would enhance peaceful coexistence amongst the citizens. Nonetheless, there are actions and activities that prevent the UK from having the desired level of peace, harmony, and healthy relationships amongst the citizens. One of the factors responsible for the lack of desired peace and harmony within the UK is a crime. Crime refers to a serious offense that violates the code of morality, unlawful actions of individuals, or acts committed or omitted to result in violations of the prescribed code of conduct and the established rules and regulations. In other cases, crime is unjust, senseless, or disgraceful actions or activities by other individuals who seem not to care about other citizens. In respect to these definitions, there are various forms of crime experienced not only in the UK but also within the global arena. Examples of forms of crimes include assaults, bribery, theft, rape, cyber crimes, murders, and suicides amongst others.
Even though the UK continues to experience high rates of crime, such rates vary from one region to another. Lynfield Estate is considered one of the regions where the rates of crime have been incrementally increasing. With such rates in crimes, there has been a need to acquire up-to-date data for purposes of reducing or preventing the same. In line with this, the following is a research framework, which provides a detailed outline of how such up-to-date data will be collected and used. The research framework employs the use of interviews and questionnaires as the primary data collection instrument. In this proposal, the background of the study, statement of the problem, methodology, and data analysis techniques are identified and highlighted. The research framework winds up with a questionnaire that contains questions to be used within the research study.
Background of the Study
Increasing levels of crime within the United Kingdom have caused serious problems besides shifting the government’s priorities. Crimes result in serious destructions concerning economic development as well as the relationships existing between citizens. No one can deny the fact that crime has serious and adverse effects or impacts on everyone within the affected organization, community, or nation. Moreover, criminal activities are associated with social divisions, which further lead to lower or reduced involvement in economic growth and development. Social divisions will act as barriers to the involvement of individuals in activities that create economic, political, and social development amongst others.
The United Kingdom continues to suffer from the negative impacts of criminal activities. Lynfield Estate continues to experience serious criminal activities that have prevented serious economic, social, and political growth and development. In comparison with other estates, Lynfield continues to drag behind in many aspects. The only way of enhancing the economic, social, and political development of Lynfield Estate would be to prevent or reduce the criminal activities or rather the increasing rates of crimes. Notably, increasing rates of crimes can only be prevented or reduced with up-to-date data on the same. Quality and more recent crime data are adequate to derive the reasons or factors fueling the criminal activities hence establishing effective policies and strategies to achieve the objective of reducing or preventing such criminal activities. Thus, the research proposal is based on such aspects of using up-to-date quality data to find amicable solutions to increasing crime rates within Lynfield Estate.
The Lynfield Estate is a typical inner-city 1960’s housing estate that houses approximately 1,550 people in 395 flats and 182 maisonettes, many of which are urgently in need of repair. The high-rise blocks of flats are connected by walkways and there is lift access to higher floors, but these lifts are often out of order. There are open spaces between the blocks but these have become a dumping place for rubbish. The estate is conveniently located near to local shops and there are good transport links from the bus and tube stops which are an approximately 10-minute walk away. Over the past few years, this estate has acquired a reputation for being a high crime area, particularly drug dealing. Therefore, it is important to develop effective policies and strategies that would help in reducing and preventing crime rates.
Problem Statement of the Study
Crime causes serious adverse effects on organizations, communities, and nations. However, preventing or reducing crime rates has been a challenge to many stakeholders given the quality of data required. Lynfield estate continues to suffer due to increasing crime rates and a lack of sufficiently up-to-date and quality data to develop effective policies and strategies for prevention or reduction. Based on primary research and data collection through questionnaires and interviews, quality and up-to-date data can be collected for purposes of developing effective measures to reduce or prevent criminal activities within Lynfield estate. Therefore, the research study uses quantitative research design and primary data collection methods to come up with up-to-date data for purposes of creating or developing measures and strategies that are capable of reducing or preventing crime rates within Lynfield estate.
Purpose of the Research Study
Given the negative impacts of crime, the increasing crime rates within Lynfield estate need to be reduced or prevented. One of the ways of preventing or reducing the increasing crime rates is to have adequate and up-to-date data on the same. The following is a research project designed to acquire up-to-date data about the levels of crime and what residents believe to be their primary needs in relation to crime reduction/prevention provisions by police on Lynfield Estate. The intended outcome of this project is that the collected data will provide the local police service with relevant information which they may use to address particular crime and disorder issues on this particular estate.
Research Aims and Questions
A research project designed to measure the crime rates needs to identify the aims and questions of the study. In this research design, the main aim or objective is to acquire up-to-date data about the levels of crime and primary needs of the residents in relation to crime reduction/prevention provisions by police on Lynfield Estate. Another objective is to provide the local police service with relevant information, which they may use to address particular crime and disorder issues on this particular estate. In order to attain this objective, the research study will aim at finding answers to the following questions:
- What are the levels of crime within Lynfield Estate?
- What are the primary needs of the local residents in relation to crime reduction/prevention provisions by police on Lynfield Estate?
- How will the collected data provide the local police service with relevant information, which they may use to address particular crime and disorder issues on this particular estate?
- What are the strategies or policies that police on Lynfield Estate need to employ based on the crime levels and primary needs of the local residents?
The above research questions will provide a guideline or framework for developing or creating the required questionnaire for purposes of collecting up-to-date data.
Summary of Literature Review
Various research studies have been conducted with respect to criminology. In addition to research studies, there are other stakeholders and practitioners within the subject of criminology who have provided more and deeper understanding of the measurement, prevention, and reduction of crime rates. In order to understand more and deeper on aspects of crime rates, their preventions, and reduction, eight research articles are going to be used. Such literature will enhance the authenticity, validity, and reliability of the research study. The following are the eight resources or articles that will be used to provide a deeper understanding of the concepts of criminology.
Annotated bibliography
Baars-Schuyt, A., 2001, Overview of criminology in Europe. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 9(3), 301-301.
In this article, Baars-Schuyt (2001) argues that Europe continues to experience increased crime rates. Criminology is an aspect that continues to cause serious problems within Europe. Baars-Schuyt (2001) provides a deeper understanding of criminology in Europe. This article will be very beneficial for enhancing the research study. The research study will be used in providing an understanding of crime in Europe whilst trying to correlate the same with the increasing crime rate in Lynfield estate. Indeed, this article will be beneficial in providing such information.
Barberet, R., 2001, ‘European criminology’ or ‘criminology in Europe? European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 9(3), 317-317.
Barberet (2001) also discusses to great extent criminology in Europe. Criminology continues to affect Europe. It is important to have a deeper understanding of the criminal acts that are experienced within Europe. Europe continues to suffer from criminal acts or activities. The article will therefore be useful in making sure that the research study will not only be reliable and valid but also authentic. This research study will therefore benefit significantly from the aspects or concepts discussed by Barberet (2001).
Dixon, M., Reed, H., Rogers, B., and Stone, L., 2006, Crime Share: The Unequal Impact of Crime. Institute for Public Policy Research: London.
In their attempt to provide a clear understanding of the impact of crime, Dixon, Reed, Rogers, and Stone (2006) discuss the unequal impact of crime. Such impacts will enable the research study to provide an understanding of the impacts of crime. Impacts of the crime incorporated within the research study will provide vistas for understanding various ways through which police can develop strategies and policies of reducing and preventing crime rates. There is no doubt therefore that this article will be very necessary for creating a deeper understanding of the impacts of crime especially concerning Lynfield in the UK.
Hil, R. & Robertson, R. 2003, “What sort of future for critical criminology?” Crime, Law and Social Change, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 91-115.
Whilst trying to forecast the future, Hil and Robertson (2003) attempt to create an understanding of how criminology has changed the relationships between citizens and individuals of a nation, community, or society. In this respect, the research study will use this article to evaluate the possible destruction of criminal activities unless they are prevented or reduced. Based on the forecasted effects or impacts, the research design will use the information from the article to provide evidence on why there is a serious need to prevent or reduce the level of crime in Europe and more especially in Lynfield Estate.
Karstedt, S., 2001, “Comparing cultures, comparing crime: Challenges, prospects, and problems for a global criminology”, Crime, Law and Social Change, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 285-285.
Karstedt (2001) compares cultures and their respective crimes. In this article, Karstedt (2001) asserts that even though there are challenges in preventing or reducing crime rates, there are prospects on the same. Furthermore, the article argues on the problems associated with global criminology. From the perspective of the challenges, prospects, and problems of global criminology, the research design will definitely provide evidence and facts behind the reasons for preventing or reducing crime rates within Lynfield estate.
Levi, M. & Maguire, M. 2004, “Reducing and preventing organized crime: An evidence-based critique” Crime, Law and Social Change, vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 397-469.
Levi and Maguire (2004) discuss the reduction and prevention of organized crimes. Organized crimes are forms of crimes experienced within Europe and specifically Lynfield estates. Levi and Maguire (2004) have adequate strategies and policies that can be used in preventing or reducing rates of crimes. These strategies and policies will be employed within the research study and be provided to the police for purposes of making sure that crime rates are reduced or prevented. Indeed, this article will be very important in developing the research study.
Mitchell, O., 2005, “Student Handbook of Criminal Justice and Criminology”, Crime, Law and Social Change, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 211-213.
Mitchell (2005) argues in this handbook that there is a need for an organization or nation to come up with adequate policies towards enhancing criminal justice. Criminal justice is part of criminology, which should be taken into consideration with the required level of seriousness. The research study will benefit significantly from this article in providing ways and policies of combating criminal activities. They identified ways, strategies, and policies from the handbook that will form part of the recommendations and discussions on how to prevent or reduce the levels of crime.
Walker, A., Kershaw, C., and Nichols, S., 2006, Crime in England and Wales 2005/06. Home Office Statistical Bulletin. Home Office: London.
Walker, Kershaw, and Nichols (2006) discuss crime in England and Wales with respect to 2005/2006. The discussion provided in this article will definitely make it possible to create a deeper understanding of criminology in Europe. The article will make it possible for the research study to provide a deeper understanding of the criminology in Lynfield, which is part of the United Kingdom.
Conclusion
From the above design, there is evidence that adequate and quality data should be obtained for purposes of developing strategies and policies, which will help in reducing or preventing increasing crime rates. Increasing crime rates should be avoided at all costs for purposes of enhancing the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of UK citizens. The research design though has the limitations of time and resources, a time schedule and budget will assist in making sure that every aspect of the study is attained effectively. The methodology section of the research design uses primary data, which is derived from questionnaires and interviews. There is no doubt therefore that the above design will be very useful in finding up-to-date and quality data for purposes of providing police with adequate and relevant information in order to reduce or prevent criminal activities.
References
Baars-Schuyt, A., 2001, Overview of criminology in Europe. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 9(3), 301-301.
Barberet, R., 2001, ‘European criminology’ or ‘criminology in europe’? European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 9(3), 317-317.
Dixon, M., Reed, H., Rogers, B. and Stone, L., 2006, Crime Share: The Unequal Impact of Crime. Institute for Public Policy Research: London.
Hil, R. & Robertson, R. 2003, “What sort of future for critical criminology?”, Crime, Law and Social Change, vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 91-115.
Karstedt, S., 2001, “Comparing cultures, comparing crime: Challenges, prospects and problems for a global criminology”, Crime, Law and Social Change, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 285-285.
Levi, M. & Maguire, M. 2004, “Reducing and preventing organised crime: An evidence-based critique”, Crime, Law and Social Change, vol. 41, no. 5, pp. 397-469.
Mitchell, O., 2005, “Student Handbook of Criminal Justice and Criminology”, Crime, Law and Social Change, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 211-213.
Walker, A., Kershaw, C. and Nichols, S., 2006, Crime in England and Wales 2005/06. Home Office Statistical Bulletin. Home Office: London.
Questionnaire
Dear Participant,
I am ……. (Name) from ………….. (Institution) and currently conducting study to acquire up-to date data about the levels of crime and primary needs of the local residents in relation to crime reduction/prevention provisions by police on Lynfield Estate. In addition, the research study aims at providing the local police service with relevant information, which they may use to address particular crime and disorder issues on this particular estate. Therefore, the following questionnaire will assist in collecting the required data for purposes of achieving the main aim of the research.
Kindly answer the following questions
Personal Information
- What is your age?
- 18-24
- 25-35
- 36-45
- 46-55
- 56-65
- 66 or older
- What is your gender?
- Male
- Female
- Select that range of your total household income?
- less than $10,000
- $10,000-$19,999
- $20,000-$29,999
- $30,000-$39,999
- $40,000-$49,999
- $50,000 or above
- What level of education did you attain?
- Less than High School
- High School Diploma or GED
- Some College
- College Degree
- Graduate Level Degree Crime Perception Information
- According to your perception, how do you rate the seriousness of crime level in Lynfield Estate?
- Very Serious
- Somewhat Serious
- Serious
- Not Too Serious
- Not At All Serious
- Do you think that the level of crime in Lynfield estate has increased, stayed about the same, or decreased over the past three years?
- Increased
- Stayed About the Same
- Decreased
- Do you think that the level of police protection within Lynfield estate has increased stayed about the same or decreased over the past three years?
- Increased
- Stayed About the Same
- Decreased
- From your perception, is there a need for more, less, or the same police patrols in respect to enhancing protection against crime?
- More Police Patrols
- About the Same Number of Police Patrols
- Less Police Patrols
- Is there a neighborhood crime watch program within Lynfield estate?
- Yes
- No
- Don’t Know
- If Yes, are you a member of the neighborhood crime watch?
- Yes
- No
- We do not have a neighborhood crime watch
- Since you started residing in Lynfield estate, how safe do you feel?
- Very Unsafe
- Unsafe
- Safe
- Very Safe
- Have you been a victim of crime within Lynfield estate over the past three years?
- Yes
- No
- Do you own a gun for protection from crime?
- Yes
- No
- Do you have a dog in your homestead for protection from crime?
- Yes
- No
- While going out at night, how safe do you feel?
- Very Unsafe
- Unsafe
- Safe
- Very Safe
- In your perception and conviction on causes of crimes, rate the following based on 1 being Least likely to cause crime and 5 being Most likely to cause crime.
- When you compare the juveniles and adults, which group do you think commits most of the crimes?
- Juveniles
- Adults
- About the same
- When you compare property crimes (e.g. vandalism and theft) and violent crimes (e.g. assault and armed robbery), which one possess serious problems within Lynfield estate?
- Property Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- About the Same
- Kindly rank the following crime-reducing measures in respect to their effectiveness based on your perception and conviction with 1 being least effective and 5 being most effective at reducing crime.
- What are the main crimes that you believe are experienced in Lynfield estate?.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… - Kindly provide some of the measures, actions, policies, and strategies that should be employed in dealing with the above-mentioned crimes
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