The total number of volunteers participating in affiliate activities is approximately 2.50 million, the majority of which are neighborhood or child protection groups.

Note 1: Those with a performance record of an average of at least one activity a month (excluding meetings where only opinions or information are exchanged), and groups of more than five members.

Diagram 1-49 Trends in the Number of Crime Prevention Volunteer Groups (2003-2008)

## (2) Supporting Voluntary Crime Prevention Activities

The “Community Safety and Security Station” promotion project undertaken by the police supports voluntary crime prevention efforts by establishing a base for activities, and was administered in 800 districts nationwide. It lends equipment required for patrols, and since 2007, has been focusing on supporting activities to ensure the safety of children.

Moreover, a system was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism so that it became possible to equip crime prevention patrol cars with rotating blue lights. As of the end of December 2008, 6,556 groups and 26,622 vehicles equipped with rotating blue lights throughout the country conducted crime prevention patrols.

In addition, a “volunteer crime prevention activities support page” (http://www.npa.go.jp/safetylife/seianki55/index.html) was launched on the NPA website to promote the creation of a mutual network for crime prevention voluntary groups by introducing approximately 4,300 crime prevention voluntary groups as of 1 May 2008, as well as examples of activities of roughly 670 active groups.

Diagram 1-50 Trends in the Situation of the Usage of Crime Prevention Patrol Cars with Rotating Blue Lights (2004-2008)

## (3) Provision of Crime Information and Community Safety Information

In order to promote the development of a safe and secure city and curb crimes that local residents feel are close to them, the police are providing crime and community safety information through various methods and means.

The provision of information also promotes voluntary crime prevention activities by supplying appropriate information on a timely basis when a crime occurs, as well as information on crime prevention measures.

### 6. Environmental Planning which Takes Crime Prevention into Consideration

## (1) Establishing Safety Standards for Public Facilities and Residences

In February 2000, the NPA established “Guidelines for Safe and Secure Urban Development,” (revised in April, 2006) which defined the points of concern on crime prevention related to apartment houses and crime prevention standards, such as roads, parks, parking, and parking lots for bicycles. It aims to promote the development of urban areas with fewer crime victims by planning an environment that takes crime prevention into account. As such, the crime prevention performance in residences, as well as the maintenance and management of public facilities developed with crime prevention in mind have all been improved.

Additionally from 2008, in cooperation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism, the police have selected model districts from 13 prefectures nationwide for the “Project for a Safe and Secure Revitalization of Homes and Town” using grant aid for regional housing and grant aid for urban