Situational Crime Prevention and Street Crimes in Sargodha: An Empirical Study

Abstract

Street crimes including theft, mobile snatching, robbery, harassment, and vehicle theft have increasingly become a serious concern for public safety in urban areas of Pakistan. In recent years, situational crime prevention (SCP) has gained attention as an effective preventive approach that focuses on reducing criminal opportunities through environmental and situational modifications. This study empirically investigates the effectiveness of situational crime prevention measures in reducing street crimes in Sargodha, a medium-sized city in Punjab, Pakistan. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected from 100 respondents using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive analysis was used to examine public perceptions regarding CCTV surveillance, street lighting, police patrolling, access control, and physical security measures. The findings reveal that situational crime prevention strategies are widely perceived as effective in discouraging street crimes and improving public safety. In particular, CCTV surveillance, improved street lighting, and visible police patrolling emerged as the most influential measures. The study concludes that situational crime prevention plays a significant role in enhancing urban safety and recommends strengthening and expanding these measures through evidence-based local policies.