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The world’s leading thinkers, politicians and cultural figures interviewed by the BBC

Find out what the world’s leading thinkers, politicians and cultural figures really think, as they talk about their lives for thirty minutes on The Interview.

***The Interview is no longer broadcast on-air but you can listen to our archive below.***

A half hour interview with interesting and prominent people from around the world with a great range of interests and opinions. Each week, one person is put under the spotlight by either Owen Bennett-Jones or Carrie Gracie, the two presenters on The Interview.  

They explore topical issues, personal motivation and interviewee's hopes and fears. The style is informal and conversational, but at times searching and combative when required.

The Interview

The Interview Archive: 21/01/2011 William Bratton: William Bratton, Police Chief

William Bratton, Police Chief

21/01/2011 William Bratton

21/01/2011 William Bratton: William Bratton, Police Chief

BBC World Service - The Interview Archive, William Bratton, Police Chief

The police chief who cut crime in New York and Los Angeles

When William Bratton was police chief in New York and LA he oversaw a fall in crime. His idea was to crack down on minor crimes in the belief that then other crime would fall too.

"Policing was slow to recognise that you needed to deal not only with the serious crime but you needed to weed the garden. It's easier to control social behaviour than it is when these people have become confirmed criminals."

When William Bratton was police chief in New York and Los Angeles he oversaw a hefty fall in crime. 

His big idea was to crack down on minor crimes such as fare evasion, gangs on corners, drinking alchohol in public and graffiti, in the belief that then other crime would decrease as well. 

He tells Owen Bennett Jones how it worked.

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21/01/2011 William Bratton: William Bratton, Police Chief

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