The European Security Model: A holistic framework for enhancing societal safety while upholding fundamental values

• In Event: The macro and the micro: Holistic Approaches to Criminal Policy and their connection with local environments

Abstract

The EU Horizon 2020 funded project, Cutting Crime Impact (CCI), aimed to develop a comprehensive European Security Model (ESM) addressing the gap in security policy literature concerning so-called 'petty crime.' This endeavour was initiated upon discovering that, despite frequent references, a concrete model did not exist within existing frameworks. Through extensive literature reviews, interviews with security policymakers, and structured workshops involving consortium and advisory board members, the ESM was conceptualised and prototyped, culminating in its unveiling at the Designing Security Futures conference in Brussels on 25 November 2021.

Central to the ESM are European values such as liberty, democracy, respect for human rights, and the rule of law, underpinned by a unique cultural perspective rooted in the Enlightenment era, termed 'European exceptionalism.' The model articulates five core principles: Citizen-centred approaches; Transdisciplinarity; Preventative measures; Collaborative efforts; and Demonstrable impacts — each supporting a strategic framework aimed at enhancing societal security. This framework emphasises the importance of understanding citizen behaviours, engaging civil society, promoting community-based initiatives, and fostering transnational problem-solving collaborations. The model underscores the necessity of preventative strategies, transdisciplinary engagement, and evidence-based solutions to tackle emergent security challenges effectively. Furthermore, it highlights the role of the European Commission, envisioned as the "Guardian of the Flame of European Enlightenment," promoting values, supporting principled action, improving capability, and ultimately delivering a positive societal impact.

The ESM serves multiple functions, including providing a coherent framework for European security efforts, facilitating the structured assessment of existing strategies, guiding future security research, and enhancing policymaker and law enforcement roles towards a broader, value-based security perspective. Importantly, it calls for a reevaluation of security policies that prioritise high-profile risks at the expense of addressing 'petty crime,' which significantly impacts citizens' daily lives, sense of security and wellbeing.

Authors

• Andrew Wootton, University of Salford

• Caroline Davey, University of Salford

• Dagmar Heinrich, University of Salford