The phrase "deter criminal activity" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as, "Police presence in the area is an effective way to deter criminal activity."
"Mandatory sentencing laws do not deter criminal activity," Boulten said in a statement.
Much of the monitoring will come from governments that hope to deter criminal activity by monitoring us, says David D. Cole, a professor of law at Georgetown University who specializes in constitutional law and national security.
In addition, surveillance systems and emergency calls would deter criminal activity.
Surrey Police said boat patrols and cameras were being used to protect evacuated properties, with number plate recognition cameras stationed on routes in and out of flooded areas to deter criminal activity.
Light and sound deter criminal activity, so keeping the outside of your house properly illuminated at night makes criminals think twice before doing something stupid around your house.
They typically are responsible for protecting property, enforcing rules, conducting security checks and deterring criminal activity, and had a median salary of $23,970 in 2012.
Trustworthy police and military will further deter criminal behaviour.
"We are trying to deter criminal gangs rather than provide a magnet," he said.
The crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) planning approach seeks to deter criminal behavior by creating defensible spaces.
In August, it even announced a new 18-month computer matching program to try to "detect and to deter criminal and administrative misconduct by IRS employees".
While universities, and our cities and communities, may not be able to deter all criminal activity, we can control our immediate response.
