Nicole Billante argues that a visible police presence in the community and increased police resources must form a key part of a crime prevention strategy in Australia. She analyses successful policing initiatives which have dramatically reduced crime in America and Britain, to argue that Australian policy makers and police should take note if this country's...

Reported serious crime has risen around 450 per cent since 1964, a time when there were some 225 police officers per 1000 serious crimes. In 2000 this number fell to just under 60. Statistics demonstrate that we require more police if we are to effectively combat rising crime. But increased police numbers must be accompanied...