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AICrime reduction matters

No. 15: Measuring crime prevention program costs and benefits

ISSN 1448-1383
2 December 2003

Abstract

The approach selected to measure the relative costs and benefits of crime prevention programs can have an important effect on decisions about future spending priorities and directions for crime prevention work. This paper summarises four possible measurement methods: cost benefit analysis; cost savings analysis; cost effectiveness analysis; and cost analysis. The approach that is chosen will depend on just what needs to be learned from the analysis and the funds available to undertake it. These four approaches should be used to support a broader decision-making framework frequently referred to as a policy scorecard analysis, which offers a framework in which to compare programs.