Recalibrating the Police to Focus on Victims Using Police Records

Abstract

Abstract While criminology and policing studies focus primarily on offenders and their behaviours, there has been an increasing focus on victims and victimology. In this paper, we argue that practitioners and scholars alike can benefit from shifting their focus on police records towards victims. Observing data on victims can lead to greater police efficiencies, particularly in the area of prevention. We review some of the arguments for such a change, then explore evidence on 380,169 victims in Kent, UK, during a 6-year period, to illustrate how to achieve new and feasible targets by focusing on a victim rather than an offender as the unit of analysis. Finally, we explore policy implications, in terms of harm reduction, prevention of repeat victimization, and triaging opportunities.