Study on Prevention of Crime in Bangladesh

Crime prevention is any initiative or policy which reduces or eliminates the aggregate level of victimization or the risk of individual criminal participation. It includes government and community based programs to reduce the incidents of risk factors correlated with criminal participation and the rate of victimization, as well as efforts to change perceptions’ At the present time in Bangladesh, MOHA and Bangladesh police are taking the lead role in establishing a crime prevention and community safety program through its efforts to implement the community Policing Strategy (CPS) throughout the country. In time, other Government Ministries and NGO’s should also incorporate the principles and philosophies of crime prevention and community safety into their respective policies. For example, the ministry of education (MOE) can identify where the principles of crime prevention can apply to its functions and incorporate some aspects to enhance the safety and well being of teachers and students within the school environment. Community safety is a broad concept which can focus on the individual (physical and emotional well-being). The literature on the subject refers to community (economic, environmental and social well-being). The literature on the subject refers to community safety as aspects of ‘quality of life’ that incorporates issues such as crime prevention/reduction, road safety, public health, emergency management and the environment. The discipline of crime prevention and community safety is very broad and responsibility rests with a large range of stakeholders. The framework for the strategy is designed to allow a great deal of flexibility into the process. Bangladesh’s social development is progressing rapidly and the people appear excited by the change. The main emphasis throughout this framework is partnerships, empowerment and acceptance of responsibility. These are philosophical requirements which can only be instilled through cultural change. This is the reason that a national strategy has to be lead and supported by the highest authority, while ownership and implementation rests with the community. This framework shall enable the establishment of the systems and processes needed to develop and implement the overall strategy.