The present Handbook is one of a series of practical tools developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to support countries in the implementation of the standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice.
These standards and norms support the rule of law, human rights and a culture of lawfulness through the development of crime prevention and criminal justice reform. The Handbook can be used in a variety of contexts, including as part of UNODC technical assistance and capacity-building projects, whether as a reference document or a training tool. A number of companion projects already exist, including the Crime Prevention Assessment Tool, and the Handbook on Planning and Action for Crime Prevention in Southern Africa and the Caribbean Regions.
The Handbook offers a concise overview of the main considerations to be taken into account in planning and implementing crime prevention strategies and interventions. It also recognizes that there are some major differences between regions and countries in terms of the challenges posed by crime and victimization and the importance of adapting programmes to local contexts. The main emphasis is on how crime prevention strategies based on the guidelines developed by the United Nations can be entrenched and sustained over time.
The present Handbook was written for a number of audiences. The primary one is Governments, since, as the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime emphasize, Governments have a key role in developing overall policies, and in promoting, coordinating and supporting crime prevention. The principles on which the Guidelines are based are relevant for all countries, and all levels of government, regardless of their political or administrative structures or stage of economic development. Thus national Governments, regional governments and local governments all have significant opportunities and roles to play.