Environmental and Wildlife Crime in Sweden

Abstract

This article discusses the nature of environmental and wildlife crime (EWC) in Sweden. A review of the international literature helps to fra me the Swedish case study. The novelty of this study lies in using 11 years of police records as well as newspaper articles (Media archives) as a basis for analysis. Geographical Inf ormation System (GIS) supports the spatial analysis of EWC at municipal and coordinate levels. Since most EWCs take place outside large urban areas, this study looks closely at the cases of EWC in the rural county of Vasternorrland. Findings show an increase in both E WCs recorded by the police and covered by the media in the last decade. EWC-geography varies by crime type: rural areas are in general more prone to unlawful handling of chemicals and to nature and wildlife crimes than are urban areas, where dumping and other minor EWCs are more common. Detection of EWCs is highly dependent on people’s routine activi ties and accessibility. Drawing upon the Swedish evidence, the article closes with suggestio ns for improvements in research on environmental and wildlife crimes.