Why is the concept of 'security' so important in modern society? Why do people and governments invest so much in the pursuit of different forms of security? How do we make sense of the changing nature of the relationship between security and insecurity? This book focuses on the concept of 'security' - as an idea, an ideal and a practice - and explores the ways in which it can shed light on the relationship between welfare and crime, and the ambiguities that arise from them. The authors investigate these issues by examining particular areas of social life and policy development with a focus that ranges from global to local and neighbourhood concerns. The book is integrated with engaging activities such as case studies, review and reflection sections. Adopting an inter-disciplinary approach to explore criminological and social policy perspectives, the chapters reflect the increasingly blurred area between social and crime control policy and the way in which it is managed. The contributors delve into the consequences and implications of policies and practices aimed at 'creating security' which can, all too often, have the opposite effect. Security is key reading for students in criminology, social policy and social justice.