The PRIME Approach PRIME stands for Problem Resolution In Multi-agency Environments. It is Hampshire and The Isle of Wight Constabulary’s response to what is traditionally called Problem Oriented Policing (POP).
POP has been widely adopted in the US as well as many other countries including the UK who are adopting the core principle, which is to tackle the ‘root cause’ of crime rather than the symptoms.
Hampshire is thought to be the first force in the country to provide dedicated Problem Solving (PRIME) Co-ordinators within each Operational Command Unit (OCU - policing area).
DCC Simon Cole states, “Hampshire Constabulary wants to make a difference and improve the quality of life of those living, working and visiting the two Counties. We have demonstrated commitment to the PRIME process over the last two years, this methodology underpins much of the work that is to be carried out within the ‘Safer’ initiatives launched during the course of 2004. PRIME involves a variety of different organisations working together combining their resources with a common vision to achieve reductions in crime and disorder and improving the quality of life for all our communities. The impact of the PRIME projects has been such that several projects have received national recognition for the quality of the work. It is our intention to build on our early successes and to continue to enhance the quality of service provided to all our communities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The Problem Solving Process of Crime Reduction
The principles of PRIME can be applied to much of the work conducted by the police as part of community safety partnerships. Problem solving is the term used to describe the adoption of an evidence-based approach to crime reduction. In practice this means:
Making use of data to establish the existence and extent of a problem, to analyse its nature and cause, to plan intervention measures to reduce it, and to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the response
Drawing on findings from existing research to inform data analysis and the choice of responses
Applying informed lateral thought in developing innovative solutions, and Using feedback in decisions to adjust, expand, abandon, and maintain initiatives.
A problem or incident can be broken down into three consistent elements:
Features of Place: 10% locations generate 60% of calls (US Research)
Features of Victim : 4% victims represent 44% of crime (British Crime Survey)
Features of Offender: 3% young offenders responsible for 25% of crime (Home Office)
By focusing the community, partners and police activity we will be better positioned to provide long term sustainable solutions. This requires us to fully utilise the PRIME principles and deliver solutions to the underlying causes of the problem rather than the symptoms. Effective consultation with all our community partners is paramount in achieving a successful outcome.
Click here to download the Problem Solving Process of Crime reduction document (.pdf, 615KB).
This section features completed initiatives in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Safer Vehicles - Operation COBRA - Portsmouth
This 2004 Tilly Award winning long term multi agency project is aimed at reducing vehicle related crime at 'hotspots' in Portsmouth.
View further details on Operation Cobra (.pdf, 122KB).
Operation Bikesafe 03
Bikesafe won Hampshire Constabularies in force problem solving award for 2006. It is an initiative run by the police and partners that aims are to lower the number of injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents. This PRIME project has achieved excellent results in reducing motorcycle deaths on our roads over the past 2 years.
Further details on Operation Bikesafe 03 (.pdf, 83KB)
Operation Mullion
This 2006 Tilley Award winning PRIME project centred around Mayfield school, Portsmouth was initiated and set out a long term strategy, through key interventions and long and short term crime reduction strategies, to reduce crime and fear of crime in the community.
Further details on Operation Mullion (.pdf, 113KB)
Operation Pheonix
Operation Phoenix is an ongoing operation aimed at reducing crime and disorder within Southampton in relation to drugs. Its aim is to affect a marked and sustainable increase in the quality of life of its residents.
Further details can be found on the Operation Phoenix website
Relevant Research & Publications
The following documents and links give the reader a comprehensive background to the PRIME (POP) approach.
Working Out What To Do: Evidence Based Crime Reduction
Nick Tilley and Gloria Laycock, 2002 (Home Office Crime Reduction Research Series Paper 11)
The aim of this report is to help police forces and CDRPs approach crime prevention and problem solving in a coherent, informed and structured way.
Access the Working Out What To Do report
Not Rocket Science? Problem-Solving & Crime Reduction
Tim Read and Nick Tilley. 2000 (Home Office)
This document examines the use of problem solving approaches across England and Wales. It gives detailed account of the successes and failures of this work.
Download the Not Rocket Science report (.pdf, 185KB) (from the Home Office website).
Brit Pop II: Problem-Oriented Policing In Practice
Adrian Leigh, Tim Read, Nick Tilley. 1998 (Home Office)
A follow up document to the original Brit Pop report, this document looks at whether discernible lessons have been learnt in the three years since POP introduction.
Download the Brit Pop II repor (.pdf, 505KB) (from the Home Office website)
Problem-Oriented Policing: Reflections On The First 20 Years
Michael S. Scott. October 2000
The report assesses the current state of problem-oriented policing (POP), revisits the fundamental principles of Herman Goldstein's problem-oriented policing framework, and reports on the successes and distortions in implementing POP.
Download the Problem-Oriented Policing report (from the US Department of Justice website).
Problem Solving Partnerships: Including The Community For A Change
Download the Problem Solving Partnerships document (from the US Department of Justice website).
Problem Solving Guides For Police
Produced by the Community Oriented Policing Services of the US Dept of Justice, The Problem-Oriented Guides for Police summarise knowledge about how police can reduce the harm caused by specific crime and disorder problems. They are guides to preventing and improving the overall response to incidents, not to investigating offences or handling specific incidents.
Access the Problem Solving Guide (from the US Department of Justice website).
Become a Problem-Solving Crime Analyst
Ronald Clarke and John Ecks. 2003
This easy to read guide covers the main aspects of problem-solving methodology. It is available via the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science website.
Useful Sites & Sources of Information
Community Oriented Policing Services, US Dept of Justice
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is the Federal office responsible for advancing community policing, including the adding of 100,000 additional community policing officers. COPS is promoting community policing through a variety of initiatives.
The section on problem solving publications is particularly useful. There are also sections and case studies on issues of domestic violence, violent crime, young people, environmental design and drugs that are generally of use.
The National Center For Community Policing
This site provides links and a very large amount of research papers that examine the American model of community Policing and POP.
Tilley Awards for Problem Solving
The Tilley Awards are an annual event that acknowledges initiatives on a national scale in the field of Crime Reduction and Organisational Support. Information on the Tilley Award, including details of the winners and abstracts of all submissions, is available on the Home Office Crime Reduction website.
Winners of the 2001 awards
Winners of the 2002 awards
Winners of the 2003 awards
Winners of the 2004 awards
Winners of the 2005 awards
Winners of the 2006 awards
News & Articles
Strategic Partnerships
This document provides a useful insight into the history behind the creation of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRP) which amongst other things have become an essential element within problem-solving environments.
Acces the full article (.pdf, 48KB).
Crime is Falling: Why Does Nobody Seem to Believe It?
11 September 2003 - Address given by Hugh Marriage OBE
Access the full story (.pdf, 48KB).
Highlight Benefits of POP, Chief Urges ACPO
14 September 2001 - Police Review
ACPO should do more to highlight how problem-oriented policing can reduce crime while using minimal numbers of officers, according to Pauline Clare, the chief constable of Lancashire Constabulary.
Problem-solving Initiatives Need More Effective Partnerships Winner says
14 September 2001 - Police Review
Insufficient use of partnerships is hampering the widespread implementation of problem-solving approaches to policing, research carried out by Lancashire Constabulary has found.
Creative Tactics
7 February 2003 Police Review
With the launch of a Specialist Crime Directorate, the Met is refocusing its efforts to tackle serious crime, putting in place innovative ways to identify and combat root causes of crime.
Access the full story (.pdf, 9KB).
The Swedish Model
31 August 2001 - Police Review
Following a surge in street crime, police in Stockholm adopted a high-visibility, community oriented approach to the problem. It was a reduction of 70 per cent in muggings. Rennie Campbell reports. Click here for the full storon the Swedish Model (.pdf, 23KB).
