Appearance

Outline of the Issue

There have been high levels of graffiti, litter and dog fouling that is ruining parts of the neighbourhoods in Starley Cross (e.g. Frykman Terrace/Kray Street). Properties are also kept in a poor state, due to not being refurbished since the 1960’s and the Working Men’s Club being abandoned since (1970), this building is also attracting types of crime, e.g. graffiti and vandalism that has resorted to becoming an eyesore to members of the community.

Evidence and Explanation

Many residents have commented on the graffiti as they’re visible on walls and building with the Working Men’s Club being physical abandoned and rundown. Statistics show that the main problems received by residents are:

• Rubbish:                                           48%
• Dog fouling/barking:                      19%
• Drug usage/deals:                           28%
• Public intoxication/rowdiness:   18%

There are currently high levels of rubbish and reports of graffiti in the neighbourhoods. This will affect the entire community as (Wilson and Kelling, 1982) Broken Window Theory research shows that acts of vandalism will have effects on the surrounding community as this act committed will create an environment that encourages further crime and disorder, with the problem that goes unattended it will affect people’s attitude towards the environment and lead to more problems. This may not link to serious crimes, instead disorder leads to increased fear and withdrawal from residents. This might resort to more serious crimes due to decreased levels of community control. Wilson and Kelling also state as a social pattern emerges, fear will rise in increases as the perception of disorder rises, leads to community being disconnected.

This indicates that dear was a product of incivility and not crime, with people avoiding each other in response to fear. Incivility may consist of rude and threatening behaviour, public drunkenness and a lack or respect to individuals and the environment.

By examining minor forms of public disorder that lead to serious crime and a downward spiral of urban decay (Sampson and Raudenbush, 2004). They discover that visual cues such as graffiti, litter and abandoned care are though to attract criminal activity, sometimes leads to further offences as the vandalism is sort of a cue for the criminals, informing them that the residents don’t care about their neighbourhood. So, the public and community perception of the neighbourhood will have an impact on the area and if disorder will be committed. Furthermore, (Aiyer et al., 2014) view on broken windows theory is that neighbourhood energy will determine if people are attracted to or deter from an area, with how people will behave in area will ultimately influence economic prosperity for that area and affect the growth and expansion of the community.

In relation to Starley Cross, with the neglect of the community and more instances of criminal activity it is not keeping the community clean and safe thus leading to buildings being rundown and abandoned. Although, with abandoned building, there is a chance to renovate it something else or knocking it down to make room for something which will benefit the community. To prevent types of crimes being committed in the community, and with perception being the biggest deterrent, getting the community involved to keep their own neighbourhood safe would be ideal so neighbourhood watch would be good alternative and with proper communication with their neighbours, it may help reduce criminal activity.