A joint report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Latin America and Caribbean Region of the World Bank on Crime, entitled 'Violence and Development in the Caribbean' has said that violence and crime reduction in the region can be achieved through preventive approaches and not just those focused on criminal justice.

Jamaica, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world, is currently experiencing one of its worst homicide rates with over 1,500 people being murdered since the start of the year.

The country has repeatedly been criticised for its criminal justice-focused methods which some human rights groups say are too excessive and reactive.

The World Bank report, which viewed several case studies in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Netherland Antilles and Trinidad and Tobago, presented a variety of approaches which could be used under the preventative approach.

Prevention through Environmental Design

One such approach is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). CPTED includes the planning and installation of social infrastructure such as community centres, playing fields, public lighting, zinc fence removal and installation of saf

Another method is the integrated citizen security approach which includes the combination of modern methods of policing with prevention interventions undertaken by both government and non-governmental organisations.