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An analysis of the effect of closing down police stations on crime in Sweden from 1996 to 2011

Nilsson, Sofia LU (2012) NEKP01 20121
Department of Economics
Abstract
This thesis examines the effect of closing down police stations on crime in Sweden from 1996 to 2011. This is done by analyzing the relationship between the number of crimes in a municipality, the crime rate and the closing down of police stations in 288 Swedish municipalities from 1996 to 2011. A quantitative approach using a difference-in-difference estimator and monthly panel-data from questionnaires sent out to local police authorities and register data from government agencies is employed. Through empirical analysis it is found that the effect of closing down a police station on overall crime is not statistically or economically significant. The composition of crime, however, changes as alcohol, drug offenses and traffic offenses... (More)
This thesis examines the effect of closing down police stations on crime in Sweden from 1996 to 2011. This is done by analyzing the relationship between the number of crimes in a municipality, the crime rate and the closing down of police stations in 288 Swedish municipalities from 1996 to 2011. A quantitative approach using a difference-in-difference estimator and monthly panel-data from questionnaires sent out to local police authorities and register data from government agencies is employed. Through empirical analysis it is found that the effect of closing down a police station on overall crime is not statistically or economically significant. The composition of crime, however, changes as alcohol, drug offenses and traffic offenses increase while some types of theft decrease. Based on the statistical analyses and the literature review it is suggested that police stations do not form a core part in curbing crime and so resources should be placed on increasing local knowledge to gain confidence from the public. The conclusions drawn are therefore in line with the current body of research suggesting that police presence is of prime importance in combating crime. It is believed that this study sheds some light on an undeveloped aspect in academic literature: the effect of police stations on crime. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nilsson, Sofia LU
supervisor
organization
course
NEKP01 20121
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
the economics of crime, economic effects of crime, ‘difference-in-difference’ estimators, panel-data
language
English
id
2628744
date added to LUP
2012-06-15 09:28:52
date last changed
2012-06-15 09:28:52
@misc{2628744,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines the effect of closing down police stations on crime in Sweden from 1996 to 2011. This is done by analyzing the relationship between the number of crimes in a municipality, the crime rate and the closing down of police stations in 288 Swedish municipalities from 1996 to 2011. A quantitative approach using a difference-in-difference estimator and monthly panel-data from questionnaires sent out to local police authorities and register data from government agencies is employed. Through empirical analysis it is found that the effect of closing down a police station on overall crime is not statistically or economically significant. The composition of crime, however, changes as alcohol, drug offenses and traffic offenses increase while some types of theft decrease. Based on the statistical analyses and the literature review it is suggested that police stations do not form a core part in curbing crime and so resources should be placed on increasing local knowledge to gain confidence from the public. The conclusions drawn are therefore in line with the current body of research suggesting that police presence is of prime importance in combating crime. It is believed that this study sheds some light on an undeveloped aspect in academic literature: the effect of police stations on crime.}},
  author       = {{Nilsson, Sofia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{An analysis of the effect of closing down police stations on crime in Sweden from 1996 to 2011}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}