Abstract

The article reconstructs the origins and evolution of security and prevention issues in France, including the most relevant events, the political and institutional framework, the implementation instruments, and especially the contractualisation of the relationships among the various security agencies. Particular emphasis is placed on the changing nature of prevention policies through the years, from social prevention, labour policies and policies for the city. The final section contemplates the impact of these new strategies on crime policies in general (especially as regards the concepts of prevention and repression), the blurring of boundaries between professions, the new role played by "uncivil" occurrences and job creation policies.