Preventing Crime & Creating Safer Communities
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Crime Prevention Information & News

Creating Safer Communities in Europe: a crime prevention sourcebook

FINLAND

For a relatively urbanised country, Finland appears to have a lower than average rate of property crime. However, according to the International Crime Surveys, Finns face an above average risk of becoming victims of assaults. Ironically in view of this, they are one of the European races least fearful about going out after dark.

The structure of crime prevention

In Finland crime prevention is organised under the direction of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior.

'Rikoksentorjunnan neuvottelukunta' (the Crime Prevention Council) was established in 1989 under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice, to plan measures for crime prevention and to develop planning for prevention of criminality. It is an advisory body (expertise, planning and co-operation) rather than an authority. Its status is as a permanent governmental committee.

In accordance with the legislation, the 'neuvottelukunta' concentrates on how criminality can be reduced through other means than punishment and general maintenance of order (i.e. policing), by influencing circumstances which create opportunities for crime or enhance crime.

The 'Rikoksen torjunnan neuvottelukunta' is not an implementation organisation but concentrates on research and advice. Examples of its work are reports on:

• criminality in Helsinki ItÇkeskus - a large shopping area;
• bank and shop robberies;
• Built environment, criminality and lack of safety - to raise awareness of the crime impacts of various building solutions;
• prevention of car crime;
• criminality in exceptional times. Investigation initiated by the emergency planning officers of the different ministries, into how criminality can be expected to develop during different types of crisis, and how one should prepare for these effects.

Delivering Crime Prevention

There is no general national programme, strategy or plan for crime prevention in Finland. This seems to be a conscious decision. The different governmental authorities, municipalities and the private sector who influence crime prevention, undertake their work principally independently and, when appropriate, in co-operation. Crime prevention programmes have been developed in committees and working groups on specific problems of criminality. Examples include:

• the 'communication' prepared by the Equal Opportunities Committee on prevention of violence against women;
• the Vintiá working group which produced a memorandum containing advice on how to influence the antisocial behaviour of children and youngsters. The advice emphasized early intervention and the role of the school. The advice was disseminated to local authorities in seminars organised in several cities;
• guidance for parents on the pro-social development of children has been arranged in several local areas;
• adventure activities (Lokki), car mechanics and sailing for youngsters;
• graffiti courses.

In addition, a significant number of special projects aimed at problematic children and youngsters have been implemented, as well as projects aimed at finding employment for young people.

The police role in crime prevention

The Police in Finland are divided into security police, mobile police, central criminal police and rural police, all performing some duties in the field of crime prevention. The rural police work informally with the local social authorities by exchanging information to promote crime prevention.

Youth Crime Prevention

Efforts to prevent juvenile crime are the main activities of the "Youth Police", who: work closely with schools in many towns, organise clubs and other leisure-time opportunities for youth, and participate in joint municipal working groups for delinquency prevention.

Contact:

Mr Hannu Takala, Rikoksen torjunnan neuvottelukunta (National Crime Prevention Council) Helsinki, Finland. Tel: 00 358 0 18251 ext:7860.

Mr Hannu Kiehela. Research Unit of the Police Academy, Helsinki. Turku Police Department).