ICT applications - crime prevention methods have been improved by many new technological devices e.g. databases, CCTV, fingerprinting and speed cameras.

CCTV

Because of the increase in crime and shop lifting within the 20th century along with the new revolutionary technology, most stores have covalence systems fitted. This makes people scared, and they decide that they don’t want to steal anything as they know they will get caught. CCTV is an easy way to keep people from stealing things however it is also very useful when it comes to catching people that have committed the crime. Many smaller businesses would have problems affording a full CCTV set up, to buy a full system with 2 cameras not including insulation would set you back anywhere between £300 and £500. Many people dislike the idea of CCTV cameras watching our every move in town centres and cities; they feel as it’s an intrusion to their privacy. According to statistics, the average citizen is caught on CCTV cameras 300 times a day.

 Since 2002 the use of CCTV has increased and the crime prevention rate been dramatically improved. A report by the House of Commons in July 2010 states ‘The use of closed circuit television cameras for the purposes of tackling crime has greatly increased over the last decade’.

With the use of around 4.2million CCTV cameras in the UK the number of crimes has been decreased by 16%. The most affected area by the cameras is public car parks, by introducing the cameras crime rates have decreased by 51%. By having individuals monitoring the CCTV forages constantly, they are able to see whether or not police are needed and can use judgment to see potential trouble before it happens. In my opinion CCTV has changed lives of many people for the better, as just having the CCTV cameras fitted is enough to put many people off from committing crimes. Also people that use private CCTV cameras benefit as they act also as a deterrent, but if a crime is committed there is a much higher chance of catching the people responsible.

Speed Cameras

Speed cameras are a great way of controlling the speed of traffic and keeping road users safe, if theses speed are not followed correctly by drivers they are at the risk of receiving a punishment ranging from 3 points and £60 fine to disqualification to driving and a fine of £2,500.

There are 8 different types of speed cameras that operate in the UK, 7 of them check you speed against the legal speed and then take a photo of your car so they have you registration details to identify the driver at fault. There is one different type of camera call an average speed camera, this works on a different principle, unlike traditional speed cameras it is no use breaking when you see one and then speeding up, as the name suggests they work out the average speed between 2 points. Speed cameras develop and now they can check whether you're insured, whether you're wearing your seat belt, whether you're too close to the car in front. And all of these things are checked thanks to only one picture being taken.

The police work is a lot more effective with the use of all the technology, and it is a lot harder to commit a crime without being caught due to the fact you are almost always been watched and leaving your DNA where ever you go. Thanks to all the above technology everyone’s lives are a lot safer.