Tags: Crime, Violence, Prevention measures, Three Spheres Convergence Crime Prevention Model

South Africans have constant exposure to crime and violence, both through direct victimisation and through extensive and detailed daily media reports. Media coverage combines with rumour and anecdote to fuel growing fear of crime and perceptions of increased vulnerability. The annual release of official crime statistics by the South African Police Service (SAPS) does nothing to reduce public concern and the fear of crime as the media presents a linear relationship between high crime rates and poor police performance. Crime is however a complex phenomenon that cannot be understood by interpreting crime statistics alone. In order better to understand current crime trends in South Africa there is a need to combine analysis of crime statistics with other useful information sources such as Victims of Crime Surveys. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed the Three Spheres Convergence Model that assists in understanding the elements that converge to result in crime and the way in which these elements must transform to result in peace and safety. This is useful in identifying data sources to both understand crime patterns and to measure progress towards a safer place. The model is also used to demonstrate the essential role of many stakeholders outside of the SAPS in the effort to reduce crime.

Current trends and responses to crime in South Africa.pdf