The Role of Vigilante Service Groups in Crime Control for Sustainable Development in Anambra State, South-East Nigeria

The study accessed the place of informal policing structures in crime control for sustainable development in Anambra State. The cross sectional survey design was adopted in the study. A total of 600 respondents, aged 18 and above were selected for the study. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in data collection. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and bar charts were used to analyze data. Findings of the study indicate that socio-cultural factors like the inability of the formal police to adequately and effectively control crime necessitated the formation of informal policing structures. Also, results show that the informal policing structures are significantly accepted as agents of crime control in the communities wherein they exist. The study recommends that for sustainable development to be achieved, crime and criminality will have to be effectively tackled through a synergistic relationship between the vigilante service groups and the formal police. It is also recommended that the vigilante service groups are provided with adequate funds and equipments so they can discharge their responsibilities adequately.