Crime Reduction and Problem-oriented Policing - Practical

In this review of Crime Reduction and Problem-oriented Policing, the bottom line is clear: this is a practical, research-informed account for readers wanting to understand how problem-oriented policing was used in the UK Crime Reduction Programme. Written by Karen Bullock and Nick Tilley, the book is best for practitioners, students and policymakers who need a detailed synthesis of findings and lessons learned. The single biggest reason to buy is that it brings together evaluations of the Targeted Policing Initiative and describes what worked and what was learned when problem solving was applied to specific local problems.

Key Features

• Comprehensive overview: Summarises the main findings of the UK Crime Reduction Programme so readers see the initiative as a whole.
• Program focus: Describes the government's Targeted Policing Initiative and how it supported problem-oriented approaches in practice.
• Adoption analysis: Explains how agencies adopted a problem solving methodology, helping practitioners understand practical implementation challenges.
• Case learning: Indicates lessons learned from efforts to address specific problems, useful for shaping future interventions.
• Policy relevance: Connects evaluated initiatives to wider crime prevention and reduction partnerships, making it relevant to policymakers.

Who It's For

The book is aimed at criminology students, policing professionals and local government staff who need a grounded review of problem-oriented policing evidence from a major UK programme. It serves well as a concise source of evaluation findings and lessons for designing or refining interventions.

Readers seeking a step-by-step field guide for tactical street-level procedures or an introductory textbook for novices may want a more basic or practice-focused manual instead; this book assumes interest in evaluation findings and programme-level learning.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Useful synthesis of evaluation findings that clarifies what the Targeted Policing Initiative achieved.
• Focus on adoption and lessons learned helps organisations translate lessons into policy and practice.
• Relevant to cross-agency crime reduction partnerships, not just police audiences.

Cons

• Not a detailed operational manual, so practitioners seeking tactical checklists will need additional resources.

Specifications

Title	Crime Reduction and Problem-oriented Policing (Crime Science Series)
Authors	Karen Bullock, Nick Tilley
Subject area	Problem-oriented policing; crime reduction; criminology
Scope	Overview of the UK's Targeted Policing Initiative and evaluated projects
Intended audience	Practitioners, students, policymakers
Focus	Adoption of problem solving methodology and lessons learned

Our Verdict

Crime Reduction and Problem-oriented Policing is a focused, evidence-based book for readers who need to understand how a national programme supported problem solving in policing and crime prevention partnerships. It offers practical evaluation insights that make it good value for students, policy teams and agencies aiming to design or assess similar initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover specific UK projects?
The book draws on evaluated initiatives within the UK Crime Reduction Programme and summarises findings from those projects.

Is this a practical field manual?
It is primarily an evaluation and synthesis of programme learning rather than a tactical handbook with step-by-step operational procedures.

Who benefits most from reading it?
Policing professionals, local partnership leads and criminology students interested in policy-level lessons and evidence on problem-oriented policing benefit most.