Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility
The National Crime Prevention Programme entitled Working Together for Safer and More Secure Communities, prepared by the National Council for Crime Prevention, aims to promote local cooperation to reduce and prevent crime and the harm caused by it as well as the risk of becoming a victim of crime. We can all take part in preventing crime and increasing safety and security in our communities.
The Programme sets out 29 measures to be taken to clarify the role of crime prevention in other municipal plans, to improve crime prevention cooperation between public authorities, businesses, non-governmental organisations and local residents, and to increase crime prevention expertise at local and national level. Crime prevention is a long-term process involving multiple sectors, in which local people, communities and organisations can participate along with the authorities.
The measures set out in the Programme aim to promote the consultation of local residents and non-governmental organisations in the planning of crime prevention measures, and to improve the opportunities of citizens to influence and participate in preventing crime and increasing the sense of safety and security in their communities. Residents' associations and forums, youth councils and councils for older people and people with disabilities are valuable tools for local residents to express their concerns relating to crime and safety and security in their neighbourhood. The work done by non-governmental organisations in helping victims of crime and supporting those at risk of social exclusion is crucial to preventing more crimes and reducing the harm caused by crime. Crime prevention actions must be coordinated to allow for more effective cooperation and to avoid unnecessary overlaps.
The National Council for Crime Prevention, operating under the Ministry of Justice, deals with general issues related to the prevention of crime, the reduction of harm caused by crime, and the promotion of safety and security. The Government has appointed the current Council for a term of three years, running from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2018, and tasked it to draw up a national crime prevention programme that promotes local participation. The new programme would be in force in 2016–2020.
Inquiries: Minna Piispa, Executive Secretary of the National Council for Crime Prevention, tel. +358 295 150 223
