MetaTOC stay on top of your field, easily

Nothing is permanent except change: A case study of crime displacement in Switzerland

, , , ,

Security Journal

Published online on

Abstract

This article presents the methodological process and the main findings of a research on crime displacement between two cantons (states) of Switzerland from 2009 to 2012. Two analytical axes have been considered: displacement of crime incidents on the one hand, and displacement of offenders for offences against the Swiss Criminal Code on the other hand. Data were provided by police statistics of the two cantons involved and by a regional crime intelligence database, supplemented by documentary analysis, interviews and field observations. Measures of crime displacement were realized with variation in crime rates, difference-in-differences estimation and weighted displacement quotient applied to a selection of offences. Findings suggest the presence of a regional crime displacement of burglary, pickpocketing, simple theft and break-in theft in vehicle between 2011 and 2012. Displacement of offenders seems to follow this trend as well and highlights a small proportion of inter-regional offenders, but who are extremely prolific. These results and the study of displacement in general shed light on the effect of crime reduction strategies and provide many prospective pathways, such as the strengthening of inter-regional collaborations between the police forces in a federal State, and the systematic use of crime intelligence to reduce mobile criminal activities.