Ten years ago, Society and Crime, the national plan of the Dutch Department of Justice introduced crime prevention as a focal point in crime policies. Emphasis was laid on environmental design, functional surveillance and the attachment of youth to the (conventional) society. Helped by a budget of about US $25 million and organized by a steering committee, more than 200 local crime prevention projects were started. As a result of the achieved success, prevention was accepted as a regular approach in crime policies. Crimereduction was achieved in relation to: fare dodging; vandalism; shoplifting; violence; domestic and commercial burglary; car theft; and theft from cars. Security was improved by situational measures targeted on shopping malls, schools, city centers, and industrial sites. Nevertheless, in terms of budgets and personnel, crime prevention stayed small compared to law enforcement. Some of the objections to (situational) crime prevention are discussed. It is concluded that the preventive approach is in many respects superior to law enforcement and necessary to relieve the overburdened criminal justice system.
