TECHNIQUES, STRATEGIES AND CRIME PREVENTION APPROCHES FOR CRIME REDUCTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The primary role of the government is to provide safety and security of members of the society and must ensure that this particular constitutional mandate is achieved. Holistic measures are required to address crime and insecurity that is prominent in all communities in Nigeria. Crime prevention is a proactive activities and synergies between government, criminal justice system and the other role players. These activities are geared towards prevention and reduction of crime and fear of crime. It is crucial to identify root causes of crime and disorderly events, thereafter, develop crime prevention strategies and plans to address and reduce crime and its potential consequences. The paper focuses on the evaluation of strategies and approaches adopted by the criminal justice system and law enforcement in addressing crime in Nigeria communities. The study adopted qualitative methodology. Interview technique was used to collect data from carefully selected participants. Finding reveals that crime prevention includes all activities which reduce, deter, or prevent the occurrence of crime, cooperation with the community is mandated in the form of community policing, sector policing in addressing issues like poverty and unemployment through government’s redistributions strategy, criminal justice officials are not implementing crime prevention approaches effectively. Recommendation includes; specialized training for police and partners involved in crime prevention, educate role players and partners on the implementation of effective crime prevention approaches, techniques and strategies, crime problem must be addressed from the grass-root, need to recognize crime victims, the environment, the predisposing and precipitating factors that led to crime, when developing plans and intervention, need to adopt technology in the fight against crime and crime prevention.