Citation

Wilkinson J. Br. J. Criminol. 1997; 37(4): 568-581.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effectiveness in reducing offending of Ilderton, one of the UK's best known probation motor projects. Research into car crime and into criminal careers is reviewed to investigate the basis for targeting specialist motor offenders. A comparison group methodology is used. The offending careers of 35 probationers who attended the project are compared with those of a matched group of 40 probationers who did not, using information about arrests. The offending careers of the two groups are similar up to the point the Ilderton group started at the project. However at one, two and three-year follow-ups, the Ilderton group had committed less crime and in particular less car crime. After two years significantly fewer of the Ilderton group had reoffended: 65 per cent compared to 91 per cent of the comparison group, an effect size of r=0.26. This is consistent with Ilderton reducing vehicle-related crime.