Assessing the geography of vandalism: Evidence from a Swedish city

This paper investigates the occurrence of vandalism at the small-area level for the Swedish city of Malmo using data from the Skane Police Authority's database. Demographic, socioeconomic and land use characteristics measured at the small-area level are used as predictors of vandalism with particular interest in the role of collective resources. Standardised vandalism ratios were calculated and mapped using a geographical information system (GIS). Spatial regression models were used to test hypotheses relating to the variation in vandalism rates. Findings show that spatial variation in vandalism is significantly related to social disorganisation risk factors as well as land use factors, but that the physical presence of local leisure associations (a 'collective resource') produces higher vandalism rates.