This book investigates the shift toward community-based crime control and the practical implications of partnership-driven governance in local safety initiatives. Adam Crawford, a professor of criminology, utilizes empirical data from two distinct research projects conducted in England to evaluate how local authorities and community members collaborate. The text argues that while partnerships are presented as a solution to crime, they often mask underlying tensions, power imbalances, and conflicting objectives between state agencies and local populations.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the complexities of multi-agency crime prevention strategies. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous examination of the limitations and political realities of community-based governance.