Standardization for urban and situational crime prevention

Research Project, 2019 – 2020

Purpose and goal: The situation in which a potential offender decides to commit a crime is always place-dependent. Many and different kinds of actors overlap in the design and maintenance of the built environment and are thus jointly affected by place-related criminality targeting people as well as property. Standardization is one way to coordinate actors and their measures. The project aim is to identify key stakeholders´ interest in standardization in the field of urban and situational crime prevention. Expected results and effects: Situational crime prevention raises questions of process-, management, and product standards. Standardization of e.g. place-oriented crime and safety audits, coordinated forms for planning of measures and distribution of roles, evaluation protocols, consultancy services and products, would have effects on quality, efficiency, etc. The stakeholders’ views on such effects is mapped in terms of the field as a whole, and the extent to which a standard would support internal needs and market opportunities. Approach and implementation: Researchers from GU, Chalmers, and KTH summarizes how place characteristics impact upon crime and which key stakeholders are identified in research. In dialogue with project participants from MTR, Castellum, Västfastigheter, and SIS, key Swedish stakeholders are identified. SIS also maps out adjoining standards. After a survey and invitation to stakeholders, a seminar about best way forward is organized at SIS. The research group authors the final report in coordination with other project participants.