Once bitten, twice bitten: repeat victimisation and its implications for crime prevention

Abstract

This report pulls together a number of research results from a variety of sources, much\nof it carried out with Home Office support. The subject of the report is ‘repeat\nvictimisation’ – the paper describes the extent to which victims or places are\nrepeatedly subject to crime and speculates about the implications for prevention.\nIn relation to some offences the repeated vulnerability of particular individuals is self\nevident – domestic violence is probably the most obvious example. But in relation to\nother crimes, such as domestic burglary, attacks on schools or car crime the extent to\nwhich repetition occurs is far from obvious but clearly shown in the report.\nSome of the research had been lying in the academic arena for a long time – but its\npractical significance for prevention and for policing had not been appreciated. The\nreduction of repeat victimisation in its several manifestations offers a challenge to the\npolice and their partners in crime prevention. The report is intended to provoke\ndiscussion and preventive action across a wide field.