1. Dr. Ceresa Dr. Fonio Comune di Milano
State of the art: from the theoretical aspects, to indicators and tools for preventing risk. A literature presentation.
Dr. Ceresa
Dr. Fonio
Comune di Milano

2. Outline
Theoretical approaches: radicalization theories, environmental criminology and situational crime prevention
Relevant Indicators (main focus: terrorism)
Critical Aspects
Open Questions
Discussion

3. Radicalization (Neumann 2007; 2009)
There is no uniform usage of the term radicalization.
Shared definition: the processes (three main steps: “radicalism”, “extremism” and in rare cases “terrorism”) whereby individuals or groups come to approve of and ultimately participate in the use of violence.

4. Drivers of radicalization
Type of factor
Drivers of radicalization
Divisions
Lack of integration, ghettoisation, polarization, internal community divides, identity crisis, isolation, weak community leadership
Grievances
Under-employed, poor education, discrimination, foreign policy and international conflicts/disputes
Narratives
Political movements, ideologies, faith
Means
Social/family/criminal networks, vulnerable/risky institutions and places, vulnerable individuals

5. Slippery slope into ethnic profiling (Open Society 2010)
Critical Aspect
Slippery slope into ethnic profiling (Open Society 2010)

6. Potential Indicators lack of integration polarization
high rate of under-employment
low level of education
spatial proximity with criminal networks
radical mosques
prisons
gateway organizations (organizations that can facilitate the path into violent extremism, immigration associations, social clubs, political movements, youth gangs)
the Internet

7. Environmental Criminology (Newman O. 1972; Brantigham P. L
Environmental Criminology (Newman O. 1972; Brantigham P.L. & Brantigham P.J / )
Theoretical source: “Environmental Design” and “Defensible Space”
Key-points: how crime happens in specific locations and time (motivation and routine activity)
Focus Terrorism “anonymity factor” and “facilitator-context” (spatial perspective)
Critical aspect: no consideration of individual motivation/s in committing crime

8. Situational Crime Prevention (Clarke R. V. 1980/97- Clarke R. V
Situational Crime Prevention (Clarke R.V. 1980/97- Clarke R.V., Newman G. R. 2006)
Theoretical source: focus on the crime “setting”
Key-points: “attractiveness of crime”, “crime-
opportunity factors” and “broken window
theory” (repetitive crime)
Focus Terrorism long-term “prevention-activity
approach (flexible to the changeability of the
context/potential targets/victims)
Critical aspect: addressed to specific forms of crime
and no consideration of subjective motivation/s

9. Potential Indicators Urban structure and plan
Suburban areas/abandoned areas/ mono-ethnic areas
Ghetto/s (i.e. council houses)
Religious centres (churches, mosques, etc.)
Aggregation centres (young, ethnic, etc.)
Critical Infrastructures (buildings, transportation/communication systems, energy resources)

10. Comparative Approach Radicalization E.C. / S.C.P.
lack of integration
polarization
high rate of under-employment
low level of education
spatial proximity with criminal networks
radical mosques
Prisons
gateway organizations
the Internet
Urban structure and plan
Suburban areas/abandoned areas/ mono-ethnic area
Ghetto/s
Religious centres
Aggregation centres
Critical Infrastructures

11. Key points: vulnerable places (recruitment grounds) & people
Places where people are more receptive to extremist message but also, if we consider the focus of our research, places which are more vulnerable to violent attacks / target Mapping social, economic, political and criminological indicators

12. Discussion Maps & Aims Information gathering Data collection
Areas of interest (urban/regional/national)
Data matching (police, judicial crime rates etc.)
Specific indicators (terrorism, critical infrastructures, big events)
Urban security policies and/or strategies