A clear and precise vision of crime and delinquency in a given territory and of the way they are perceived by different groups of population is crucial in order to design integrated local crime prevention policies and implement local actions that improve individual and collective security.

Indeed, research in criminology (notably the 2002 Sherman report, Evidence-based crime prevention) shows that evidence-based prevention strategies do reduce crime and victimisation. The United Nations stresses the importance of strategic responses that are based on a ‘systematic analysis of crime problems, their causes, their risk factors and their consequences, at the local level’.

As part of this strategic approach to urban security, Efus has long been promoting security audits as a key tool that local and regional authorities can use to gather evidence. With the development of information technologies, new tools and methods can be used to collect detailed data and associate citizens in the design, implementation and evaluation of crime prevention strategies and actions.

> Minutes of the workshop organised as part of the 2021 conference:

> Positioning
 
In its 2017 Security, Democracy and Cities Manifesto, Efus and its members call for ‘rethinking the collection and assessment of evidence’ and making it more inclusive by involving all social groups. Efus recommends that local and regional authorities cooperate more closely with research institutions and that political decision-makers evaluate their security strategies based on evidence.

AUDITS