ProHIC Book of Basics

This Book of Basics shows how High Impact Crime (HIC) in The Netherlands can be tackled at a local level by the police, the municipality and the Public Prosecution Service in collaboration with citizens and businesses/organisations. The target audience for the Book of Basics is the essential coalition of the local triangle - the mayor, police management and Public Prosecutor, as well as their policy makers and executors, businesses, citizens and organisations from civil society. The Book of Basics also includes practical (study) materials for use in police training and university and college degrees. “Working together” seems logical and simple, but in practice it is often not that straightforward. After all, it concerns various stakeholders who have different priorities and interests, and different corporate cultures and organisational structures; these are disparities that can hinder cooperation.

The Problem-oriented approach to High Impact Crime (ProHIC) starts with a thoroughanalysis of the exact problem at hand and joint determination. Subsequently the appropriate measures to tackle the problem need to be determined. Only then will the joint approach witness results.

This Book of Basics provides a range of potential solutions and tips to help a problemorientated approach to High Impact Crime be successful. This is an approach that has proven to be effective: residential burglaries, muggings and (armed) robberies have declined considerably in recent years. We are on the right track, but that trend could change at any time, furthermore the problems in some areas and neighbourhoods have not yet seen improvement. Therefore, it was, is and remains important to work together to tackle High Impact Crime. The ProHIC Book of Basics is a valuable instrument in achieving this goal.