„Crime prevention“ resumes all measures being convenient to prevent a crime. Over the past years, a categorisation accomplished which refers to the moment the measure of prevention takes place in relation to the crime.

• The “primary prevention” comprehends the measures which occur long time before a crime happens. This includes for example a positive education in families, in nurseries and primary schools which aim at a way of life free of violence.

• “Secondary prevention” resumes measures which tend to prevent imminent crimes. Such measures are for example courses of self-defence or teaching units in schools conducted by teachers and the [[Policing in the United Kingdom|

• Measures of the “tertiary prevention” are to avoid other crimes after a crime which had taken place before. An example are the youth stations where police and public prosecutor’s office are working consolidated. The purpose of this collaboration of different authorities is an adequate reaction happening prompt, educational and preventive.

A social function while the projects of crime prevention is that as many actors as possible work together. This are often the * police

• the youth welfare office
• schools
• associations and
• individuals (parents, students, celebrities).

Projects of crime prevention shall - if possible - always imply multiple starting points as the use of media, the involvement of many people, the placement of own activities alternatively the possibility of retraction, safeguards as well as the presentation of the consequences for future.

At present, crimes like deprivation, theft, assault, burglary, delinquency of drugs, cybercrime and projects for certain population groups (as youths, seniors or migrants) are particularly focused.

The measures of crime prevention present a promising chance to reduce the delinquency.

One approach is newly discussed as a theoretical frame who refers to a meta-theory well known in expert groups: the “Feldtheorie” of Kurt Lewin.

Criminology