This book investigates how specific criminal incidents function as 'signal crimes' that fundamentally alter public perceptions of safety, risk, and social order. Martin Innes, a professor specializing in policing and crime control, draws upon extensive empirical research and sociological theory to propose a framework for understanding the communicative power of crime. He argues that certain events act as catalysts, signaling broader threats to a community and triggering significant shifts in individual and collective behavior regarding security and social control.

Experts in the field of criminology frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the social impact of crime beyond simple victimization. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for students and professionals in sociology and criminal justice.