Abstract
Hot spot policing is an established concept that is proven to reduce crime. It is mostly done through foot patrol or car patrols. In the present study it is tested whether helicopters can produce a deterrent policing effect to reduce the amount of vehicle arsons in Sweden on larger hot areas. Sweden tends to have elevated levels of vehicle arsons in August, with about 20% of police districts responsible for 50% of the cases. The risk narrative revolves around youth congregating in public places in deprived neighborhoods to generate disturbances, and the disruption of the risk narrative tested here is based on providing deterrence through helicopter police presence. During 6 weeks in August and September of 2019 police helicopters patrolled four police districts in Sweden to attempt to prevent vehicle arsons. Our data comprise police reports of vehicle arson, and time stamped satellite data over the location for police helicopters. The evaluation considers whether there is an intention to treat effect from this project, in addition to whether there is an effect of actual helicopter presence. The study finds no significant effect of intention to treat, nor of actual dosage.
Highlights
Directing police patrols to locations with persistently high levels of crime—hot spot policing– has been shown to be one of the most effective methods to reduce crime (Braga et al, 2019)
We find no significant effect of the helicopter patrols in two separate types of analysis
By tracking the actual dosage of helicopters to hot areas we find that the implementation of the project was inconsistent, which is fairly common in the police delivery of hot spot interventions (Drover and Ariel, 2015; Atterman, 2017)
Summary
Directing police patrols to locations with persistently high levels of crime—hot spot policing– has been shown to be one of the most effective methods to reduce crime (Braga et al, 2019) This is thought to largely be due to a deterrent effect, with potential offenders noting police are on the scene, and perceiving a higher risk of getting caught, which in turn results in fewer attempted crimes (Nagin, 2013). The risk narrative has a geographic component, with youth often congregating in, or around, deprived neighborhoods (Gerell, 2019) This type of risk narrative is somewhat more macro in scale than how it is commonly conceived, with neighborhoods rather than micro-places being discussed as sites for intervention (Caplan and Kennedy, 2019). The macro scale of the present study is further exacerbated by the fact that it was conceived on the national level, for all of Sweden, as opposed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
