TACKLING VEHICLE CRIME IN , ENGLAND OPERATION COBRA

HAMPSHIRE , PORTSMOUTH , 2004

THE PROBLEM: From April 2002 to March 2003, vehicle crime in Portsmouth, England increased 16 percent. Strategies in place, much of it focused on offender detection and generic crime prevention, were not working. A Crime Reduction Officer/Analyst reviewed 9 months of data (in the past only several weeks were reviewed at a time to determine patterns) uncovering more robust patterns: 1989 to 1998 vehicles were the most at risk, items stolen did not have property markings so resale was easy, vehicle crime concentrated in many repeat locations, in fact 49 percent of vehicle crimes occurred in just 167 of Portsmouth’s 1,600 streets. ANALYSIS: The Crime Reduction Officer/Analyst identified eight underlying conditions contributing to the high level of vehicle crimes. These conditions if turned around could significantly reduce vehicle crime in Portsmouth. RESPONSE: Engaging a wide variety of partners, including the media, the group developed Operation Cobra. It relied on a graded or tiered approach to reducing auto theft; different strategies were applied depending upon the level of vehicle crime on a street. Streets with 5 to 7 vehicle crimes used a victim-focused strategy (such as customized warnings and property marking). Those with 8 to 10 vehicle crimes focused on victims but incorporated environmental and situational changes to the location. Streets with 11 or more vehicle crimes focused on victim and location but also adopted an offender-focused strategy making greater use of forensics and intelligence gathering. ASSESSMENT: In the first 9 months of Operation Cobra, the number of vehicles stolen among 1989 and 1998 vehicles declined 25 percent; there was a 33 percent reduction in thefts from vehicles; a 37 percent reduction in vehicle crime in streets that had experienced 19 or more vehicle crimes from April 2002 to December 2002; and a 58 percent reduction in vehicle crime in streets experiencing between 5 and 10 vehicle crimes from April 2002 to December 2002. Overall, after 9 months, vehicle crime in Portsmouth fell by 31 percent from 3,235 vehicles to 2,235 vehicles. Similar reductions were not experienced elsewhere in . ______1

JUDGE’S COMMENTARY responses that might reduce crime in certain types of locations. Portsmouth’s vehicle crime reduction effort effectively illustrates many of Lastly, adequate baseline measures that problem-oriented policing most describe the problem’s dimensions make important principles. it easier to measure impact once responses are implemented. The First, specifically identifying the thoroughness of the scanning and the problem and then analyzing it is key to analysis here provided many quantitative tailoring more effective responses. When measures from which Portsmouth could Portsmouth first attempted to reduce the assess impact and persuasively claim the vehicle crime problem no specific reduction was due primarily to the scanning or analysis was conducted and Department, the City and the Partners the agency relied on rather generic efforts. reduction responses. Rather than a reduction in the problem, the problem Introduction increased. It is at this point that the Department tried to pinpoint the problem Portsmouth, England, one of Europe’s (through scanning) and undertake an most densely populated cities, is in the analysis. The scanning and analysis county of Hampshire. More than revealed different dimensions to the 185,000 people live in Portsmouth and it problem than originally thought opening is also home to the British Royal Navy. the way for analysis-based, tailored The City draws 5 million visitors a year responses, which are more likely to to its beaches and tourist attractions. succeed in reducing the problem. Portsmouth is one of Hampshire Constabulary’s ten policing districts with Second, knowledge of crime theory is 350 police officers assigned to the City. important because it offers some shortcuts within analysis. For instance, Experiencing high levels of vehicle knowing that crime tends to concentrate, crime the City of Portsmouth developed the Crime Reduction Officer knew to a crime and disorder strategy as part of look for patterns by offender, place, the National Vehicle Crime Reduction target/victim. Among the patterns, Target beginning in April, 2002 (See Portsmouth found that a small number of Appendix A, table 1).1 streets accounted for much of the vehicle The City set a three-year reduction target crime and that only certain years of cars of 17 percent, 6 percent for 2002/2003, 6 were most at risk. Aware of research percent for 2003/2004, and 5 percent for about reducing repeat victimization led 2004/2005.2 A number of strategies the Crime Reduction Officer to were already in place, including: recommend a tiered (graded) response based on the intensity of the problem in • targeting known offenders, a street or hot spot and his knowledge of • applying “designing out crime” situational crime prevention (the principles through the planning companion of problem-oriented process, policing) provided a framework to craft ______2

• introducing Neighborhood Targets are quite important within the Wardens in two areas of the city3 UK government. While there are 43 • seeking drug rehabilitation for separate and independent Police Forces vehicle crime offenders with in England and Wales there is a high drug histories, degree of central government direction • multi-agency coordinating through and control of Forces both through the “Communities Against funding and through a performance Drugs” initiative using CCTV management culture driven by the system and developing Secured setting of performance targets for all Car Parks4, activities that the central government • utilizing traffic wardens5 and the considers to be a priority. There is Abandoned Vehicle Unit, constant monitoring and reporting of • Crime Concern6 and Auto Glass how the local and prevention scheme, governments do against these targets. • enlisting youth crime prevention The Police in England work closely with workers, and partners in other local agencies and with stakeholders in communities. The Crime • signing up the Fire Service to and Disorder Act puts a statutory duty deliver anti-vehicle arson for reducing crime and disorder not just education. on Police Authorities but on Local

Authorities (city and town councils), as The City identified some additional steps well as health authorities. As a result, for to help meet the targets: major crime and disorder issues joint

efforts are more easily adopted, • identifying what works everyone is expected to meet targets. elsewhere,

• conducting analysis to identify The Hampshire Constabulary appointed areas requiring additional Chief of Territorial Operations CCTV coverage, Julie Earle as the single performance • identifying areas in the heart of champion accountable for Hampshire’s Portsmouth in need of vehicle crime reduction results. The situational improvements, constabulary also appointed a dedicated • increasing use of court orders to Crime Reduction Officer, Alan deter offenders, and Edmunds, to review the problem and • increasing the number of coordinate daily activity. They were Secured Car Parks tasked to apply a problem-oriented policing approach to the problem After the first 9 months of the strategy, (SARA - scanning, analysis, response, vehicle crime rose. It became clear that and assessment). the 6 percent target reduction would not be met, in fact, it was projected that SCANNING there would be an 18.8 percent increase for the year end 2002/2003. The problem The Crime Reduction Officer reviewed required a new strategy. information and data. He looked at police vehicle crime reports for April ______3

through December 2002, and examined • 865 of the 900 stolen vehicles data from other sources including the were manufactured between the Crime and Disorder audit, Fire and years 1986 and 2000, Rescue federal database, Crime • 453 of the 900 stolen vehicles Stoppers, drug intelligence information, were manufactured between data from other city agencies 1989 and 1997, representing 50 (Engineering and Design, Leisure and percent of the stolen vehicle 7 Tourism, Trading Standards , CCTV problem, Office, Housing Service, Marketing and • Of the 35 vehicles stolen that Tourism), and information from were manufactured between informal interviews with residents, 2001 and 2002, almost all were Neighborhood Watch participants, hotel mopeds, personnel, and motor vehicle companies. • Three vehicle makes/models accounted for 25 percent of The vehicle crime data showed robust overall problem (226 vehicle patterns related to victims/targets, crimes) -- Ford Escort (98 locations, and offenders. Portsmouth has stolen), Vauxhall Astra (68 very few homes with private garages, stolen), Ford Fiesta (60 stolen) there is little off street parking of any (See table 3, Appendix A). kind and only one secured car park • Slightly more than half of the within the City. These circumstances victims were between the ages of make Portsmouth rife for high levels of 20 and 39, vehicle crime. • Most vehicles were stolen from

near the victim’s address, Patterns found within Victim/Target for Thefts from Vehicle data: Based on • There was a pattern of stolen analysis of 2335 thefts from vehicle vehicle movement between two of the economically deprived Nearly half of the victims had their areas of town, • Stolen vehicles had not been vehicles’ victimized near their home 8 addresses. The breakdown of the targets immobilized. within the vehicles was as shown in table 2, Appendix A. Patterns within Location data: Based on an analysis of all 3,235 vehicle crimes: The primary methods of break-in included window smashing, bent door, • 22 percent of crimes occurred in breached lock, or the vehicle was 712 streets (one crime per street), unlocked. • 29 percent of crimes occurred in 346 streets (two to four crimes Patterns found within Auto Theft per street), Victim/Target data: Analysis of 900 • 39 percent of crimes occurred in stolen vehicles. 155 streets (five to eighteen crimes per street), and

______4

• 10 percent of crimes occurred in Portsmouth, others committed 12 streets (nineteen to thirty- crime more local to their home, eight crimes per street) • 44 of the offenders (18%) had a provable drug history, and Adding the last two bulleted numbers • offenders used legitimate outlets shows that 49 percent of vehicle crime to dispose of stolen goods. occurred in just 175 of Portsmouth’s 1,600 streets. ANALYSIS

Within many of these streets vehicle The Crime Reduction Officer found that crime was often concentrated even the patterns pointed to a number of further, to particular lots or particular underlying conditions that caused the parts of streets, these are referred to as high level of vehicle crime (See table 4, hot dots. Certain types of locations Appendix A). (within these streets) had higher levels of theft, such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, Response cinemas, sports clubs, shopping areas, theatre, cafes, and tourist attractions. At The patterns uncovered during analysis these locations motorists stop for short revealed the underlying conditions that periods of time or are preoccupied with required change, these underlying the activity they are about to undertake. conditions suggested strategies that Also certain high risk events during the could turn the problem around (See table year accounted for vehicle crime 5, Appendix A). increases: Portsmouth and Show (August); tourist season (June – The responses required partners to September); University graduation implement the responses. The (July); Great South Fun Run (variable); Portsmouth City Council could leverage firework display (November); Christmas partnerships with the Engineering and (December). Design Service, Leisure Services, Trading Standards, and Housing Patterns found within Arrested Services. In addition, additional partners Offenders Population: Based on the were recruited including the Media arrest of 236 offenders implicated in 436 (Portsmouth newspaper and local radio), vehicle crimes. resident groups (Residents Association Consortium, Neighborhood Watch), and • Of those arrested, the offenders local businesses such as motor traders are predominantly between 17 and hoteliers. and 23 years of age, • Of the offenders identified, the The new vehicle crime strategy was “taking of vehicle” offences named Operation COBRA. COBRA appeared to attract the younger shifted the emphasis from a more offenders, between 15 and 20 traditional, predominantly offender- year olds, based strategy to one addressing all • Of the offenders, the repeat aspects of the problem triangle (victims, offenders travelled across offenders, and locations). COBRA ______5

sought long-term not just short-term • broadcast news about the reduction in vehicle crime. operation on radio and television The Crime Reduction Officer went • placed posters in police beyond the hot spots and street stations, residential areas, and concentrations uncovered he initially Local Authority foyers. found and built a database to draw data • briefed all operational staff about individual streets and parking lots • distributed sample operation using a rolling 12-month data set. This cobra crime reduction packets more exacting data within hotspots to police and support staff (UV allowed the police to monitor hot spots marker pen and labels, key ring, and apply one of three levels of mobile phone and vehicle responses, called a tiered response marking cards, warning notices consisting of Level 1, Level 2, and Level – to place on cars, and window 3 depending upon what occurred at the stickers) accompanied by a 9 hot spot (See table 6, Appendix A). letter explaining COBRA. The same was done for 220 The team tasked partners (and brought neighborhood watch new ones in as needed) to each aspect of coordinators. the strategy (See table 7, Appendix A). • supplied police with ultra violet “key fob” readers to help in Three months of preparation led up to property marking efforts the launch of Operation Cobra in April

2003. During this preparation phase the The City agreed to fund £30,000 City: (approximately $50,000 U.S.) for

purchases including: • adopted, branded, and publicized the corporate • COBRA packets, operation name: Operation • customized street warning Cobra signs, • secured the full support of the • parking meter signs – picture editor of the local daily style, newspaper editor for the operation over the entire 12 • auto lock “seconds” months that cobra was intended immobilisers for to run distribution/sale to target groups, • established a victim help line • ultra violet reader on a key • published city council and chain, and police articles about the upcoming operation • infomercials on the local radio stations. • held road shows involving

police, and organized residents The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth • briefed resident groups officially launched Operation COBRA

______6

April 3, 2003 emphasizing four key April and December 2002) from the elements: comparable period the prior year.

1. Maximising forensic and Objective 5: reduce vehicle crime by intelligence gathering. 15 percent at locations where there 2. Funnelling intelligence to a are 5 or more crimes per location Tasking and Coordinating Group from the comparable period the prior to direct offender based work, year. and initiate localized, site specific Problem Resolution in The organizational chart for Operation Multi-agency Environment Cobra implementation is located in (PRIME) Projects (problem- Appendix B. solving). 3. Using a three-tier Vehicle Crime Some specific examples illustrate how Reduction Strategy, the level of Operation Cobra worked. vehicle crime by location determined whether efforts are The Southsea Show attracts directed at potential victims, visitors from all over the UK, offenders, or the location. many with vehicles. In previous 4. Utilizing a high profile media years vehicle crime has risen campaign to send and reinforce around the location of the show. messages to potential victims and Under Operation Cobra, local would be offenders. radio infomercials were broadcast to heighten awareness. The Group adopted 5 specific objectives A group of volunteers (Specials for Operation COBRA for April 2003 and regular officers) formed through March 2004: COBRA bicycle patrols. These were liveried and carried Objective 1: increase awareness Operation COBRA packets and about the public’s role in reducing worked in conjunction with event car crime and the City’s commitment security to welcome visitors and to it. give crime reduction advice. This idea originated in Belgium Objective 2: reduce the number of and was identified by the UK stolen vehicles manufactured Home Office Crime Reduction between 1989 and 1997 by 15 College as good practice. This percent from the prior year. initiative was well received by the public, organizers and the Objective 3: reduce the number of Tourism manager. Vehicle crime thefts from motor vehicles by 15 halved compared to the percent compared to the prior year. preceding year at this location.

Objective 4: reduce vehicle crime by Kensington Road was identified 15 percent at the locations having 19 as a Level 2 area (focus on or more vehicle crimes (between location). The road experienced ______7

a combination of vehicle solving activity at the appropriate vandalism and thefts from level, such as the examples above vehicles. Analysis showed that show. the crimes occurred in a very small area along the long road. ASSESSMENT Further analysis showed that loitering, drunk youths in the The Crime Reduction Officer and the area were linked to the problem. monitored different The Community Beat Officer measures during Operation Cobra to see worked with Trading Standards, if the Objectives set out by the Group residents, Licensees and the Anti were being met. Social Behavior Team to cut off the supply of alcohol to the Objective 1: increase awareness youths there. As a result, there about the public’s role in reducing was a significant reduction in car crime and the City’s commitment vehicle crime there. to it.

Portsmouth City Council Victory Objective 1 Results Achieved: Car Park experienced 26 crimes • 70 newspaper articles published in a nine-month period. in local papers, some of the Residents parked all day whilst articles were as long as three they used a Hovercraft service to newspaper pages (see Appendix the . Despite two 3 for examples). A public CCTV cameras at the site crime opinion research survey continued. The Operation Cobra (conducted by the MORI firm) group installed warning notices found that in January 2004 38 and distributed COBRA packets percent of Portsmouth was at the Hover Station. Overgrown aware of Operation COBRA, bushes provided cover for thieves and 68 percent of those who throughout the car parking lot were aware learned about from (car park). The Council Parking their local newspaper. Manager coordinated the • 20 “Property Marking Road removal of bushes, replacing Shows” focusing on items them with decorative railings at a stolen from cars. The Shows cost of £12000 (approximately were joint efforts with resident $22,000 U.S.). Vehicle crime association members. was reduced by 75 percent from the prior year. • 5,500 crime reduction COBRA packs provided to hot spot During the period April to parkers. December 2003, the Crime • 1000 COBRA packs given to Reduction Officer identified 250 the general public. streets with 5 or more vehicle • 650 mobile phones marked by related crimes. These became Neighbourhood Wardens with the subject of focused problem the distributed UV markers. ______8

• 10 immobilisers issued to target 19 or more vehicle crimes (between group. April and December 2002) from the • 247 picture signs put on comparable period the prior year. parking meters. Objective 4 Results Achieved: • 350 street warning signs erected Reduction of 37 percent by Portsmouth City Council (reduction from 325 crimes to staff. 202 crimes). • 280 infomercials (of forty seconds in length) broadcast on Objective 5: reduce vehicle crime local radio at high risk times. by 15 percent at locations where • 1 new Secured Car Park there are 5 or more crimes per achieved in a hot spot area. location from the comparable period • 175 calls made to Portsmouth’s the prior year. Crime Stoppers, an increase of 52 percent. Objective 5 Results Achieved: • 297 vehicle crime offences Reduction of 58 percent (reduction ‘cleared up’ by 198 offenders. from 1,598 crimes to 937 crimes). Thirty-four of them were specifically targeted for arrest While monitoring these measures, the by as a result of Operation Tasking and Coordinating Team made Cobra. Sixteen of the offenders adjustments. For instance, Community were linked with drug use. Beat Officers’ workload increased too much by taking on the Level 1 streets.

To ease their workload, the Beat Objective 2: reduce the number of Officers added a partner in their problem stolen vehicles manufactured solving efforts, the COBRA coordinator. between 1989 and 1997 by 15 Also, now, when a street is identified as percent from the prior year. needing a Victim approach, the

Constabulary contacts a previous victim Objective 2 Results Achieved: or Neighbourhood Watch or an area Reduction of 25 percent resident. They are asked to take crime (reduction from 418 crimes to prevention packets to neighbours in the 314 crimes). hot- spot and mark property at local

meetings there. Objective 3: reduce the number of

thefts from motor vehicles by 15 As noted in the beginning of this report, percent compared to the prior year. by the end of the first year of the

Portsmouth Crime and Disorder Strategy Objective 3 Results Achieved: for 2002/2005 its 6 percent vehicle crime Reduction of 33 percent reduction target was unmet; in fact the (reduction from 2,335 crimes to vehicle crime problem increased 16 1,550). percent. In the second year of the

strategy following extensive scanning Objective 4: reduce vehicle crime and analysis Operation COBRA was by 15 percent at the locations having ______9

launched, and after just nine months a 31 became synonymous with percent reduction in vehicle crime was vehicle crime reduction and was achieved compared to the previous year. aimed at both potential victims This reduction was sufficient to more and offenders. than recover the performance of the previous year and put Portsmouth Crime IN CONCLUSION and Disorder Partnership squarely back on track to achieve the three year Whilst COBRA was always intended to Strategy targets. be a year-long Operation, the principles of Operation COBRA are now firmly Several factors led to Operation Cobra’s embedded into the long term strategy to success: tackle vehicle crime in Portsmouth, and in fact the principles used are now being • having a performance champion replicated within Portsmouth to tackle driving operations and residential burglary offences. The accountable for results, Portsmouth Crime and Disorder • having a dedicated Crime Partnership have allocated funds from Reduction Officer to coordinate, the Safer Communities Budget to • adopting of a problem solving continue the vehicle crime reduction approach, work in 2004 to 2005. Portsmouth • having the commitment of Council for Community Service partners, volunteered to manage (volunteer) • creating a user-friendly, COBRA bike riders for Summer 2004. comprehensive database of The Operation has also been vehicle crime information incorporated into the Hampshire Police capable of informing problem- ‘Safer Vehicles Strategy’ that was solving work, launched across Hampshire • focusing activity where the Constabulary in Spring 2004. greatest reduction opportunities exist, The cost to society of each vehicle crime • identifying crime reduction is estimated by the British Home Office potential of victim and location at £1,000 (approximately $1,800 U.S.). focus, In the first nine months of Operation • developing a communications COBRA, in comparison with the same strategy that included local media nine-month period in the previous year, at the planning stage (and the number of vehicle crimes in gaining the newspaper editor’s Portsmouth fell from 3235 to 2235, commitment to support the representing a cost saving of £1,000,000 operation throughout the 12 (approximately $1.8 million U.S.). The months. true worth of this problem solving • designing a brand identity (all approach, however, is in its value to the signs, newspaper articles, people of Portsmouth, where one posters, etc. relating to operation thousand fewer people experienced the COBRA had a common, visually misery and inconvenience of being distinctive logo). The logo victims of vehicle crime. ______10

contribution to that reduction was 1,220 It is worthy of note that the crime of those offences. reduction success of Operation COBRA has continued beyond the nine month The success of Operation COBRA is period examined in this report. At the attributable to the use of the Problem end of the FY 2003- 2004, the vehicle Resolution in Multi-agency Environment crime total for Portsmouth was 3,008 model (PRIME – the Hampshire’s compared with last year’s year-end total Constabulary name for Problem- of 4,228, representing a 29 percent Oriented Policing). It produced long reduction overall. Portsmouth is one of term sustainable reduction. The success ten policing areas (or Basic Command of COBRA has been invaluable in Units) within Hampshire Constabulary, demonstrating the effectiveness of the the vehicle crime reduction total for the problem-solving approach to police 2003/04 was 1,400 offences, Portsmouth officers and agency partners.

______11

APPENDIX A: Tables

Table 1 Fiscal Year Vehicle crime Taking of Theft from Rate per 1000 total vehicle vehicle population

1999/2000 4012 1320 2692 21.42

2000/2001 3520 1174 2346 18.79

2001/2002 3631 1173 2458 19.41

Table 2 Number of crimes Property stolen 742 Car stereo systems 761 Handbags, briefcases, luggage, purses 682 Car parts – wheel trims, wheels, other 336 Mobile phones 180 Valuables – cash and jewellery 170 Power tools, tools 128 Electronic items – lap tops, televisions

Table 3 Total Number Vehicle 98 Ford Escort 60 Ford Fiesta 68 Vauxhall Astra

______12

Table 4 Patterns within Targets Underlying Condition (UC) Taking of vehicles

Cars made from 1989 to 1997. These cars lack “built-in” security features. Typically, owners of these cars cannot afford additional money for security. (UC #1)

Ford Escort, Ford Fiesta, and Vauxhill Astra. These cars are small, fast and easy to steal.

Vehicles manufactured since 2000 have When a theft of these cars occurs it electronic immobilizers, which has reduced is typically because the keys were the incidence of theft among these vehicles. stolen.

Theft from vehicles

Radios/CD systems in older vehicles in older Thieves can easily remove these vehicles are prime targets. items from cars. Radios/CD systems are not properly marked at the time of purchase, during installation or subsequently and become suitable targets and are easy to resell. (UC #2)

Modern radio/CD systems are integrated with the vehicle and have security systems that make the items inoperable if removed.

Mobile phones are also frequently stolen from Small items such as these are often the cars. overlooked especially when stopping for short periods of times or when the parker is in a hurry. (UC #3) Patterns within Victimization Underlying Condition (UC)

Both residents and visitors to the city are The absence of care by victims and victims. The largest victim group is between lack of awareness of elevated risk 20 and 30 years of age. on certain streets and in certain places leaves victims vulnerable. (UC #4) Patterns within Locations Underlying Condition (UC) ______13

Some street locations experience highly This indicates that crime is disproportionate levels of vehicle crime. concentrated and manageable, and Within an identified street (hot spots) it is dispels the theory that it is “all over possible to identify smaller hot dots where risk the area” and hard to prevent. was concentrated even further. Identifying hot Previously, hot spots were spots using longer-term data provides greater identified using only 3 months focus. data, which did not provide sufficient incidents to show such strong patterns. (UC # 5)

Overgrown bushes and trees, poor lighting, Lack of knowledge of crime issues and easy access routes were a contributing by those responsible for landscape factor in sample areas. and grounds maintenance at locations.

Crime was found to be higher in the streets Poorly advertised Secured Car surrounding Secured Car Parks. There was no Parks advertising for the Secured Car Parks. Patterns within Offenders Underlying Condition (UC)

Vehicles are taken for short journeys and Local culture, peer pressure, drug abandoned, in particular in the economically related. Vehicles taken for distressed areas (SRB areas). Some offenders excitement rather than gain. In the burn the vehicles in residential areas exposing past, the Police lacked focus in children living and playing there to additional their interventions and didn’t harms. Interviews suggested that a small group collect enough forensic evidence of prolific offenders are responsible for a large because of limited staffing. (UC proportion of thefts from vehicles. #7)

Peer pressure, local crime culture and a small number of prolific offenders with a provable drug history are at the core of the problem.

There has been no team responsible for targeting vehicle offenders or detecting offenders through forensic means.

Patterns within Social Environment Underlying Condition (UC)

The public was not engaged in reducing Public apathy contributes to a lack vehicle crime. Neighborhood Watch had not of surveillance and guardianship been an effective partner in it. In the highest over the problem and assists in crime areas there is an atmosphere of fear and allowing a stolen goods market. ______14

concern. The public fear of vehicle crime is high but the expectation of the police is low. There is a market for stolen goods in the area and a general view that goods are easily disposed of within the community. Patterns within the Police Culture Underlying Condition (UC)

A perception within the Constabulary that Apathy by the police and public, vehicle crime is not a priority, that it is a lack of focus on the specifics of the problem spread throughout the city, and is problem, poor media reporting, and opportunistic and therefore unmanageable. unfocused crime reduction activities left vehicle crime reduction efforts to chance. (UC Crime Reduction Officers typically #8) concentrated on general responsibilities rather than specifics. Crime reduction was mainly focused on detection effort and was based on weekly identification of hot spots (based on three months data).

The Constabulary had not treated vehicle crime as a priority when it provided information to local media.

______15

Table 5

Underlying Condition Response A lack of appreciation of risk Personal letters to householders/businesses in hot dots, by potential victims in hot dot Street signs and talking parking meters alerting people areas to the specific problem.

Property left on view Raise awareness amongst those at risk, extensive media particularly when parking for campaign and posters in the “hot dot” places where short periods of time motorists stop for short periods of time.

An absence of inbuilt security Offering owners of high risk vehicles in high risk on 1989 to 1997 registered locations mechanical vehicle immobilisers at discounted vehicles cost.

Lack of knowledge of crime Working with contractors (maintenance workers and lot generators by those owners) to increase understanding of the ways responsible for maintenance at situational crime prevention techniques can reduce locations crime.

______16

Table 6 Level 1 Response Level 2 Response Level 3 Response

If 5 to7 vehicle crimes If 8 to10 vehicle crimes If 11 or more vehicle occur in rolling 12-month occur in rolling 12-month crimes occur in rolling period on a street, focus period on a street, focus 12-month period on a is on victim is on location street, focus is on offender

Identify target area and Continued Level 1 victim Continued Level 1 and 2 empower local residents to care/empowerment. actions. tackle problem. Beat Officer will provide Crime Reduction survey of Referral to Tasking and Operation Cobra crime location. Coordinating Group reduction packets10, and through crime analyst. support specific action to Appropriate partnership Sector Inspector tasked to tackle issue. inspection where crime take ownership for generators identified for comprehensive problem Display customised action. solving (PRIME) warning messages on initiative. laminated posters in Environmental/situational premises within high risk changes agreed, area. (Shop windows, implemented, and doctors’ offices, as monitored appropriate).

Distribute/sell physical immobilisers to target group.

Display partnership metal street signs warning: “Thieves take chances you give them – secure your vehicle and remove your valuables. Make Portsmouth safer”.

______17

Table 7

Activity Partners Property marking at point of sale (UC #2) Halfords, Sextons Security, Les Smith Accessories, Road Radio.

Security products discounted (UC #1) Trading Standards vetted businesses – Sextons, Autolock.

Focused Property Marking Road Shows Residents Association Consortium, (UC #1, #7, #8) ASDA, Sainsbury, Gunwharf Secured Car Park, Portsmouth City Council.

Picture warning signs (jointly designed to Police, Portsmouth City Council Parking respond to the needs of foreign visitors) Office, Department of Leisure and erected on 247 Council parking meters Tourism. (UC #3, #4, #5)

Talking parking meters developed by Police, Portsmouth City Council Parking Portsmouth City Council and installed in Office. 295 machines. (UC #4, #7)

COBRA crime reduction message (jointly As above. designed) on all Residents’ Parking Permits (UC #1, #2, #3, #4)

Rigorous name and shame policy on Newspaper Editor, Police. offenders (UC #6, #7, #8)

Series of radio infomercials throughout Radio station, Police. year to coincide with identified seasonal risks.(UC #1, #2, #3, #4)

COBRA pedal cycles with liveried Police, , event regular and Special Constabulary officers, organizers. providing crime reduction advice/materials at key events mirroring successful project in Belgium. (UC #1, #2, #3, #4, #5)

Second hand shops scanning all incoming Cash converters (pawn shops). property for ultra violet markings and mark all outgoing property (UC #7)

______18

Appendix B: Figures

OPERATION COBRA

Crime and Disorder Vehicle Crime

Reduction Priority Group

Delivery Plans:

Victim Offender [sub-group] [sub-group] Location [sub-group]

Vehicle Crime Reduction Strategy Intelligence Led Action through Tasking and Coordinating Group Level 3 offender 11+ veh. crimes -Directed tasking of patrol and community beat officers.

Level 2 location 8-10 veh. crimes Creation of Crime Unit to take ownership of specific persistent vehicle offenders throughout their criminal careers. Level 1 victim 5-7 veh. crimes Territorial sector tasked to run local vehicle crime initiatives and manage focused PRIME projects - Property marking (Hampshire problem solving model). - Sponsored vehicle immobilizers (UC #5, #6, #8) - Advice cards - Operation COBRA signs, posters and stickers - Targeted crime prevention and marking packs (UC #1through #8)

Criminal Justice Media Campaign to Raise Maximize Forensic - Liaison with CPS and Anti- Awareness and Educate Potential Social Behavior Unit for bail conditions, remands, anti-social - Media launch with Partners Appoint dedicated “Vehicle behavior applications - 12 months of organized coverage in Scenes of Crime” Officer to work with Divisional Crime Unit. - Custody interviews local daily paper -Tasking intelligence sources. - Radio infomercials (UC #6) (UC #6) (UC # 1 though 8) ______19

Report Co-Authors:

Julie Earle Chief Inspector Territorial Operations Portsmouth BCU

Alan Edmunds Crime Reduction Officer Portsmouth BCU

Agency and Officer Information

1. Operation COBRA was adopted across the Portsmouth Basic Command Unit and involved officers from all departments and levels. The methodology is now being transferred to tackle other crimes within Portsmouth, and Operation COBRA has been incorporated as good practice into the Hampshire Police ‘Safer Vehicles’ Strategy which has recently been launched across the whole Force area.

2. Problem Resolution in Multi-agency Environments [PRIME] the Hampshire Constabulary’s name for Problem Oriented Policing is established as a policing style within the Constabulary. PRIME seminars have been held at a Force level. More detailed PRIME training has been provided to Community Beat Officers. Each Basic Command Unit has a trained PRIME Coordinator Sergeant; part of the functions of this position is to provide local training to police officers of all ranks and to partners in other agencies, authorities and amongst the voluntary sector workers.

3. Problem Solving is an integral part of the Hampshire Constabulary Policing style. There are no additional incentives for engaging in problem solving, it is part of the culture and there is an expectation that officers will routinely use a problem solving approach in order to deliver long-term sustainable solutions.

4. PRIME training support booklets are available to all officers. Each officer in the Force is issued information explaining the SARA problem solving model, and the use of the Problem Analysis Triangle (PAT) triangle.

5. No problems encountered with the model.

6. Financial Budget

£30,000 from the Basic Command Unit (BCU) Devolved Budget was devoted to financing the COBRA operation. The majority of this budget was spent on COBRA crime prevention packets, ultra violet key ring scanners, and a wide variety of

______20

targeted COBRA signs for streets, car parks, parking meters and for display in commercial and residential premises.

Funding for individual proactive vehicle crime operations was bid for from the BCU pro-active budget. Costs in this year were less than in previous years due to the use of a fully targeted response for the first time, concentrating effort where maximum return was achievable.

Human Resources

A Chief Inspector from the Basic Command Unit was identified as the Vehicle Crime Performance Champion and ran Operation COBRA as part of her day-to-day role, coordinating activity across the different disciplines. This Chief Inspector was held accountable for vehicle crime performance.

A Crime Reduction Officer from the Basic Command Unit was dedicated solely to vehicle crime reduction and coordinated the COBRA work with partners.

A uniform officer was identified as a dedicated Vehicle Scenes of Crime Officer to maximize forensic recovery.

All other human resources contributed to COBRA as part of their day to day role, and were not specifically dedicated solely to COBRA.

7. a) Julie Earle Alan Edmunds

b) Chief Inspector Operations, Crime Reduction Officer, Portsmouth Portsmouth

c & d) Portsmouth Basic Command Unit BCU Police Headquarters Kingston Crescent North End PORTSMOUTH England, PO2 8BU

e) 44(0)23 9289 1594

f) 44(0)23 9289 1504

g) [email protected]

______21

1 In the UK, the fiscal year begins April 1st and ends March 31st. 2 Performance targets were set at 3 levels. The national government sought a 30 percent reduction in vehicle crimes over 5 years, the Hampshire Constabulary sought a 10 percent reduction in one year, and the Portsmouth Policing area sought a 6 percent reduction in the first year of its 3-year reduction target of 17 percent. 3 In the UK, neighborhood wardens keep an eye on boarded up properties, report suspicious behavior to the police, deal with minor incidents of anti-social behavior, monitor racial harassment and intimidation and report it to the police, and act as a source of communication between local communities and the police. 4 Secured Car Parks are parking lots and parking garages that have “designed out crime” using effective crime prevention and security standards. 5 In the UK, traffic wardens are civilians who help the police by keeping the traffic flowing and issuing fixed penalty notices for parking and other traffic offences. 6 Crime Concern is a private charitable agency that mobilizes citizens and groups to reduce crime in the UK. 7 Trading Standards is a consumer protection agency. 8 There are typically two types of immobilizers in the UK. One is a passive system that deactivates parts of the vehicle’s operating system, the other is a mechanical device placed across the vehicle’s steering wheel to prevent it from turning. 9 The Crime Reduction Officer was familiar with the evaluations the Home Office completed showing the success of tiered (sometimes referred to as graded) response in reducing repeat victimization based on the level of victimization. 10 The COBRA packets contain a UV marker pen and labels, key ring with UV reader, mobile phone and vehicle marking cards, warning notices – to place on cars, and window stickers.

______22