“The following discussion broadly reflects the debate which took place at the conference. It does not attempt to be a summary of all the papers presented but instead seeks to give a flavour of both the issues discussed and some of the tentative conclusions reached. The overall aim of the conference was to bring together representatives from transitional societies to begin a process of comparative analysis which to date has not occurred. The link between the dramatic political, economic and social transitions in these societies, on the one hand, and growing levels of crime as well as differing policing responses, on the other, are little understood. Comparing links between the transitions and the growth of crime and transformation of the police in these states suggests some important conclusions not only in respect of the key causal features which generate crime in transitional societies but, By implication, also which areas of policy focus may have the greatest impact on reducing crime”
