A qualitative examination of the implementation of optimal forager inspired crime reduction programmes in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Certain aspects of optimal forager theory (OFT), which is drawn from ecology, have shown positive results in predicting areas at risk of future domestic burglary offending. This led to police services developing analysis methods that embraced OFT to underpin their deployment of resources to prevent or reduce domestic burglary. There has been limited examination, using quantitative approaches, of how individual police services have implemented such crime reduction schemes. This study broadens this literature by qualitatively exploring OFT strategies within five police services. By interviewing participants involved in the programmes the study gathers views and perspectives of the implementations, identifying many positive by-products of the strategies. By contrast, factors affecting the implementation and application of the theoretical framework are also identified. Both good and bad are discussed in the context of their practical implications for police services globally looking to implement crime reduction plans that embrace OFT.