Do Crime Risk Assessment Reports Measure Crime Risks?

Abstract

Since 2001, crime risk assessment reports have been required for various proposed developments in New South Wales (Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP) 2001). However, there has been very little analysis of these reports, including close consideration of the utility of the findings contained in such reports. To begin to address this knowledge gap, crime risk assessment reports relating to developments across New South Wales¹ have been analysed. It was found that: virtually identical reports were submitted by one company for different developments; less than half of the reports in the sample included crime data relevant to the area of the proposed development; less than half explicitly involved consultation with relevant stakeholders (police and local government); and a little more than one-in-five reports contained any adverse findings or commentary on the proposed development. These findings raise questions about the value of crime risk assessment reports under the current regimen.