4.4a In what conditions and how can arts and culture-based interventions effectively reduce crime, including serious violence, and what robust research designs and data are needed to evaluate their impact?

Background

DCMS is keen to build the evidence base on the role of culture in crime prevention and rehabilitation. We particularly welcome research on how we can leverage the social benefits of arts and culture participation to reduce crime and violence alongside developing greater insight on responding to crime when it does occur. The department’s interest in this area focuses on two strands: Firstly, the role of cultural engagement in reducing crimes, including re-offending rates. Secondly, the department seeks to better understand crimes that target cultural assets, specifically theft and damage against museums and cultural property, and where interventions might have the most impact. Our particular emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in preventing these offences points to our interest in understanding the opportunities that innovation might offer for crime detection and prevention.

Next steps

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