E-Thesis 268 views 65 downloads
A Scoping Audit of the Use of Sport and Physical Activity as a Crime Prevention Tool Across Police Forces and Police and Crime Commissioners in Wales / FRANCESCA MURPHY
Swansea University Author: FRANCESCA MURPHY
Abstract
In Wales, there is currently a lack of research into the use of sport or physical activity as a diversionary programme to help prevent young people becoming involved in criminal activity and the Criminal Justice System. Research has shown that using sport as a preventative measure for young people c...
| Published: |
Swansea, Wales, UK
2023
|
|---|---|
| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MSc by Research |
| Supervisor: | Hudson, Joanne. and McNarry, Melitta. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa64821 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Abstract: |
In Wales, there is currently a lack of research into the use of sport or physical activity as a diversionary programme to help prevent young people becoming involved in criminal activity and the Criminal Justice System. Research has shown that using sport as a preventative measure for young people can help them deviate away from the criminal justice system and set them up for a positive transition into adulthood as sport offers a variety of benefits including life skills (Coalter et al., 2000). The promotion of physical activity and sport can help deliver against many of the objectives or pillars contained within Commissioners’ Police & Crime Plans, particularly in relation to youth crime, serious crime and for those who are most at risk of involvement in the Criminal Justice System. This study aims to identify and critically discuss the programmes currently being funded by every Police Force and/or Police and Crime Commissioner in Wales. The research adopts the RE-AIM framework (Glasgow, 2019) to explore available information on the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance of the programmes. Initial meetings were held with individuals working for the Police and Crime Commissioners’ offices to enable broad scoping of programmes offered in different areas of Wales. Subsequent informal interviews were held with the relevant programme leads and/or funders to obtain more detailed data regarding their programmes. There are four programmes throughout Wales with the majority located in Dyfed Powys, South Wales and Gwent Police Forces. The North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) indirectly funds one programme in North Wales, however, data are sparse regarding this programme. Preliminary analysis of the data gathered indicates that there is no homogeneity across areas in delivery and reporting mechanisms of the results. Youth involvement in the programmes varies across Wales, with direct referral requirements for South Wales and Gwent programmes and an open entry process elsewhere. Involvement of youth support networks (e.g., education of families) is included in some programmes but not all. Programmes report that they are successful, but indices of success are not all identified or clear and are not comparable across the programmes. In addition, financial investment towards sport programmes varies considerably across the Forces. Additional research is required to understand the long-term outcomes on crime rates for those young people involved in a programme over a sustained period of time. There was clear acknowledgement of the need for preventative programmes for young people and clarity on delivery details of the programmes, such as, number of sessions delivered by whom. However, there was insufficient evidence of long-term delivery and effects of programmes. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: |
A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information. |
| Keywords: |
Youth Crime, Sport, Prevention, Wales, Scoping Audit |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |
| Funders: |
KESS |