WG-PLACE 2: Towards an evidence-based model for big data policing (BIGDATPOL)

Session Submission Type: Pre-arranged Panel

Abstract

The BIGDATPOL research program (funded by the European Union; ERC, BIGDATPOL, 101088156) emerges as a beacon for the future of crime prevention in Europe. Big data policing models incorporate variables, including crime data, socio-economic factors, opportunity characteristics and big data sources such as images or mobile phone data, thereby highlighting the need for a holistic understanding of these models. Confronting the current disjointed landscape of big data policing, BIGDATPOL seeks to merge expertise, foster interdisciplinary cohesion, and uphold rigorous scientific standards. Consequently, BIGDATPOL aims to harmonize statistical, criminological, economic, legal and ethical facets into an evidence-based model, contributing to a more secure and fairer future for our communities. This approach leverages historical data to predict and pre-empt potential crime hotspots, optimizing police resources ultimately curbing crime rates. In this thematic panel, we present results from various studies pertaining to the overarching program, each examined from different disciplinary perspectives.

Subtopic

• Topic 1: Perspectives on Crime and Criminal Behavior / Routine Activities and Situational Perspectives (WG on Space and Culture)

Chair

• Wim Hardyns, Ghent University

Individual Presentations

• The BIGDATPOL program: An introduction - Wim Hardyns, Ghent University; Inge Claessens, Ghent University

• Evaluating big data policing: The development of a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation framework - Marlies Sas, Ghent University; Thom Snaphaan, Avans University of Applied Sciences & Ghent University; Wim Hardyns, Ghent University

• Attitudes of police officers towards big data policing - Charlotte Vandenbrande, Ghent University; Wim Hardyns, Ghent University

• Exploring explainability in big data policing: Identifying feature importance in decision-making models - Naomi Theinert, Ghent University; Robin Khalfa, Ghent University; Wim Hardyns, Ghent University

• A temporal analysis of crime concentrations in micro-places and the ambient population - Robin Khalfa, Ghent University; Thom Snaphaan, Avans University of Applied Sciences & Ghent University; Rafael Prieto-Curiel, Complexity Science Hub Vienna; Wim Hardyns, Ghent University