Multi-sector cooperation in preventing crime: the case of a South African Neighbourhood Watch as an effective crime prevention model

Abstract

This case study describes the experience of effective and sustainable multi-sector co-operation in the prevention of crime between the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch (RNW) in Roodepoort, South Africa, the South African Police Service, private security businesses and the local business sector. This case study is illustrated in the context of empowering communities to take ownership of community safety by facilitating a multi-sector approach. Many studies have highlighted the role of the police in driving crime prevention, however, this paper focuses on the role and contribution of communities themselves as an effective vehicle of crime prevention drawing on multi-sector co-operation. Knowledge regarding best practices in this field of crime prevention remains a work in progress, therefore this paper aims to contribute to the general framework for the growth of successful multi-sector community-based crime prevention initiatives.

Keywords:

• Crime prevention
• multi-sector co-operation
• Neighbourhood Watch
• community policing

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Joey Preis and Marius Meyer from the Roodekrans Neighbourhood Watch management committee for their invaluable contribution to this paper and permission granted to publish this case study. The financial assistance from the University of South Africa, College of Law Research and Innovation Fund to present this paper at the International Police Executive Symposium 25th Annual Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria is acknowledged.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.