Crime Facts Info

No. 48: Implementing Business Watch

ISSN 1445-7288
29 April 2003

The Australian Institute of Criminology has released a paper outlining the results of a study which evaluated the processes of a Business Watch program currently underway in the Northern Territory. The evaluation comprised a mail-out of 256 surveys with a total of 107 responses (42 per cent return rate). Seventy per cent of businesses surveyed were aware that the Business Watch program was in place. Many respondents were unable to provide an assessment of the effectiveness of the program (possibly due to a lack of awareness and understanding of the program) and, with the exception of meetings (which were seen as informative), most respondents perceived little effect on crime or fear of crime as a result of the program. Consequently, only 53 per cent of members who were aware of the current program indicated that they would participate in future schemes of a similar nature, with a further 28 per cent unsure and seven per cent unwilling to participate, and others requiring changes to be made to the program to ensure their future participation. However it is unclear whether these results would apply in other locations.

Willingness to participate in a future Business Watch program

Source

• Charlton, K. & Taylor, N. 2003, "Implementing Business Watch: Problems and Solutions", Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, no. 244, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra.

Full report available on AIC web site: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi244.html