Data-driven interdisciplinary methods to combat crime and fear using police CCTV

In Sweden there has been a sharp increase in the police use of CCTV during the past decade, not least in deprived neighborhoods where gangs exert a large influence.

Our studies of such CCTV interventions suggest that CCTV may have a violence reducing effect, whereas the international meta-study on CCTV suggests it has no impact on violence. This highlights some of the knowledge gaps surrounding CCTV. We do not have enough knowledge on which crimes that can be affected in which contexts.

We have even less knowledge on the impact CCTV can have on fear of crime and on crime clearance. Furthermore, little research has been performed on optimal placement of CCTV and its efficiency at different distances. The present project will perform the biggest ever study on CCTV and produce new knowledge covering all those issues.

We will use modern difference in difference techniques to analyze the impact of CCTV.

In addition, we will consider how different geographical and sociodemographic contexts influence on the impact of surveillance.

We will also produce software and datadriven analysis to generate knowledge on where cameras should be placed and the conditions under which they function properly.

Taking advantage of our interdisciplinary team of criminologists and computer scientists we expect this to result in substantial global knowledge gains on CCTV in addition to generating much better tools for how Swedish police can make the most out of their CCTV systems.