Why do people commit crime? The overall aim of the research platform is to contribute to a better understanding of the causes and the consequences of crime, as well as the prevention of victimisation and involvement in crime.

Our research

How the question why people commit acts of crime is answered, determines how we view criminality and the people involved, both offenders and victims. It also influences what policies and methods we aim to use.

The programme is divided into four interrelated parts that focus on offenders, victims, social settings and prevention. All these parts are needed for the understanding of crime and its consequences, and also for developing effective crime policy strategies.

Finally, the program will develop, implement and evaluate strategies to prevent people from entering as well as help desisting from a criminal pathway and develop supporting strategies that focus on individuals that have been victims of crime.

Taken together this knowledge will answer the crucial questions: what kinds of interventions are likely to be most effective, for what kinds of people in what kinds of social environments, during key developmental phases. This will help the researchers to develop a solid knowledge base and to develop and evaluate new methods and interventions.

Researchers, publications and projects

Our research projects regard blurred sexual situations, victimisation among young people, group violence intervention, hate crime, and urban drug scenes.