Social safety unlocked

Original title: Sociale veiligheid ontsleuteld.

The Dutch government employs a range of measures aimed at achieving a safer society, varying from more police on the streets, CCTV surveillance and modified street lighting to providing support for at-risk young people and imposing heavier sanctions. Why does the government use precisely these measures, and to what extent is this a properly thought through choice? And do they really improve social safety?
 
This study maps out the assumptions underlying recent safety policy and confronts them with empirical findings on the effectiveness of measures in reducing crime, nuisance and perceived lack of safety. This approach can enable future policy choices to be better substantiated. Can swifter and more draconian punishments really reduce repeat offending? Is it plausible that more camera surveillance will lead to less violence?