Beyond Determinants: a Taxonomy of Fear of Crime Interventions at the Neighbourhood Level

• In Event: Urban Dynamics and Community Safety

Abstract

Despite the extensive research on determinants of safety perceptions, knowledge about effective interventions at the neighborhood level remains limited. This contribution adopts a literature synthesis approach to bridge this gap, focusing on identifying a wide array of interventions through systematic reviews and relevant individual studies. The methodical search across academic databases is designed to uncover peer-reviewed articles and reports that discuss various interventions, regardless of their direct measurement of effectiveness.
The central goal of this study is to develop a taxonomy of interventions. It aims to offer a comprehensive overview of interventions available and to explore their intended mechanisms and influences on distinctive dimensions of safety perceptions or fear of crime. Additionally, it notes the contexts in which these strategies may be most applicable to provide an understanding that goes beyond mere effectiveness.
While the findings are forthcoming at the time of writing, the anticipated outcome includes an emphasis on interventions in the physical environment and variety of academic disciplines that address fear of crime in neighbourhoods, such as Public Health Sciences and Architecture and Urban Studies. This study is expected to provide valuable insights into the available interventions and their effectiveness, offering guidance for policymakers and practitioners aiming to enhance neighbourhood safety perceptions.

Author

• Jossian Zoutendijk, Inholland University of Applied Sciences