Environmental and Wildlife Crime in Sweden
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Date
2013-12
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ohio State University. Libraries
Abstract
This article discusses the nature of environmental and wildlife crime (EWC) in Sweden. A
review of the international literature helps to frame the Swedish case study. The novelty of
this study lies in using 11 years of police records as well as newspaper articles (Media
archives) as a basis for analysis. Geographical Information System (GIS) supports the spatial
analysis of EWC at municipal and coordinate levels. Since most EWCs take place outside
large urban areas, this study looks closely at the cases of EWC in the rural county of
Västernorrland. Findings show an increase in both EWCs recorded by the police and covered
by the media in the last decade. EWC-geography varies by crime type: rural areas are in
general more prone to unlawful handling of chemicals and to nature and wildlife crimes than
are urban areas, where dumping and other minor EWCs are more common. Detection of
EWCs is highly dependent on people’s routine activities and accessibility. Drawing upon the
Swedish evidence, the article closes with suggestions for improvements in research on
environmental and wildlife crimes.
Description
Keywords
Environmental Damage, Environmental Crime, Green Criminology, GIS, Media, Rural Areas, Scandinavia, Wildlife Crime
Citation
International Journal of Rural Criminology, v2, n1 (December, 2013), p. 25-52