This report from Communities and Local Government is one of a series evaluating the New Deal for Communities Programme, which aims to reduce gaps between some of the most deprived areas in England and the rest of the country. It presents findings from case studies.

The 2006-07 British Crime Survey indicates that crime levels in England and Wales have fallen by 42 per cent since their peak in 1995, representing a total of eight million fewer crimes. But according to the 2006-07 BCS, residents of NDC areas are between two and three times more likely to be victims of crime than is suggested by national averages.

The case studies reveal that most change is positive with an overall reduction in both crime and fear of crime, but there are key variations across both places and people. Women and older people tend to be more fearful of crime, although changes have been more positive for women than men. Black and minority ethnic communities tend to be more positive about their local areas and saw more positive change for quality of life and satisfaction with area indicators.There have been overall reductions in burglary and theft, but only marginal reductions in criminal damage in three case studies and reductions in violent crime in only the two London NDCs

The report warns that any assumption of ‘causality’ in the relationship between the NDC Programme spend and change needs to be treated very cautiously. But there may be some emerging signs that spend and interventions are beginning to impact on the scale of police recorded crime.

The report is available from DCLG. http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/737976.pdf