Crime and space in intermediate cities: fine-tuning a model of territorial analysis in Gerona, Tarragona and Lérida

Abstract

This article investigates the location logic of petty larcenies and mugging with violence and intimidation, for the period: 2008-2011, in three intermediate cities of Catalonia. The aim is to validate and fine-tune previously-formulated hypotheses on crimes which follow patterns of a structural nature, that is, which have a tendency towards territorial stability linked to urban features and functions. These crimes have been compared with crimes against public order and assaults. This study has enabled a definition of the type of areas that attract and stabilise such phenomena; this makes possible consideration of the characteristics of public space that can favour the citizen's sense of securit