This timely book offers a wide-ranging and authoritative analysis of the complex issues and debates in the politics of crime and community safety. Drawing on new research and evidence, the text adopts an original comparative perspective to the understanding of the culture of control in contemporary society. Truly international in its scope, it uses both local and global case studies to provide compelling insights into important developments in crime control. With an accessibly and lively style, this text is essential reading for all students of crime and criminology.