Signal Crimes and Signal Policing

A pilot study was conducted which suggests that ‘signal
policing’ should be placed alongside ‘signal crimes’ as inducing
perception of local problems, with onlooker inferences
about reasons for police vehicle attendance at a home varying
according to dwelling type. Speculation is entered that
onlookers will take the presence of police vehicles to suggest
confrontation with residents most often in high crime areas. A
research programme leading to a more