After-school programmes
Evidence-rated crime-reduction intervention (EMMIE).
Effect on crime
mixed evidence
Evidence quality
very strong
What the evidence says
After-school programmes (ASPs) are organized activities aimed at children and young people who would otherwise be unoccupied or unsupervised. The evidence suggests mixed findings regarding the impact on crime, with some studies indicating a reduction and others an increase, but overall, ASPs have not shown a statistically significant effect on crime reduction. The intervention is based on a systematic review of 12 studies, primarily from the USA, Canada, and Sweden.
How it works
ASPs provide formal supervision in a controlled environment with structured activities, which may reduce opportunities for delinquent behavior. They also aim to enhance skills and build positive social networks, potentially acting as protective factors against delinquency.
Implementation
The review did not provide specific details on how ASPs were implemented or the challenges faced during implementation.
Source: College of Policing Crime Reduction Toolkit (What Works Centre for Crime Reduction). Summarised 2026-07-14. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the College of Policing.