The study named “Comparing crime reporting factors in EU countries”, published by our researchers Diego Torrente, Pedro Gallo and Christian Oltra explores the significant regional differences in crime reporting across 14 EU countries, focusing on the socio-economic and institutional factors that influence citizens’ likelihood of reporting crimes. Crime reporting is crucial for public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement, yet international victimization surveys show that only a third to half of crimes are reported annually, which limits the police’s ability to accurately assess crime and allocate resources.
The study reveals that crime reporting varies significantly across Europe, with four broad regional patterns: northern, central, southern, and eastern Europe. These regions can be grouped into two categories: northern-central Europe and southern-eastern Europe. People in northern-central Europe are about twice as likely to report crimes as those in southern-eastern Europe, indicating that socio-economic and institutional factors heavily influence reporting behavior.
In northern and central Europe, the type of crime is a key determinant in reporting, with individuals more likely to report based on the crime’s nature rather than its severity. Psychological factors, like life satisfaction, also influence crime reporting in these regions. Conversely, in southern and eastern Europe, social inequalities such as income and age play a more significant role in reporting, with low-income individuals less likely to report crimes due to barriers in accessing police services.
Perceptions of police efficacy also vary across regions, affecting reporting rates. In countries like Finland and Denmark, where citizens have positive views of the police, reporting rates are higher. In contrast, in eastern Europe, where trust in law enforcement is lower, reporting rates are lower as well.
The study suggests that no single theoretical model can fully explain regional differences in crime reporting. While rational models may explain reporting in northern regions, socio-demographic factors like income and age are more influential in southern and eastern Europe. Additionally, psychological models have some relevance in northern countries, where life satisfaction impacts reporting behavior.
In conclusion, the study confirms that crime reporting is shaped by a complex set of factors that vary across European regions. While the type of crime is more important in northern and central countries, social inequalities are a key determinant in southern and eastern Europe. These findings highlight the need for more focused research to better understand the factors influencing crime reporting and improve the effectiveness of public safety systems across Europe.
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