SARA Model For Problem Orientated Policing

What is scan? Scan in the first stage of the SARA model of investigation for the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) for Problem Orientated Policing (POP). It is designed to recognise reoccurring issues or events as a trending problem for police and its community. POP requires police to identify incidents, group these incidents and recognise the underlying causes of the problem (Miller, Hess & Orthmann, 2014). This can be done through police data; data from sources outside of the police system; and from stakeholders that are effected. This data can then be used further to examine problems within the larger issue. This first step of the SARA model requires police to recognise recurring issues and their respective outcomes within their communities. These issues must be then prioritised for goals to be developed to resolve the issues at hand.

Griffith is a town within New South Wales (NSW) with a population of 25986 ("Estimated Resident Population”, 2017) located approximately 570 km from Sydney. According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, between October 2014 to September 2016 the rate of theft in the Griffith area has been consistently high over a two-year trend.

The study found, Griffith train station carpark was the major crime hot spot with 50 offences reported over a three-month period between July 2016 to September 2016. The Griffith train station is located one street back from the major shopping/retail precinct and has a large number commuters utilising the carpark. The local community also use the car park for everyday use due to the location in relation to the retail shopping area. The carpark and bicycle parking rack is situated out of view from the station platforms and rail staff, leaving these incidents unseen and reported some hours after they have