Community Perceptions of Criminality

The Case of the Maltese Walled City of Bormla

Bibliographic Data

ID13026039
AuthorsJosAnn Cutajar (0000-0002-5679-946X, University of Malta), Saviour Formosa (0000-0002-4449-1791, University of Malta), Trevor Calafato (University of Malta)
Year2013
Volume2
Issue2
Pages62-77
Publication date2013-04-16
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2076-0760 • E-ISSN: 2076-0760
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/socsci2020062
OpenAlexW2023048854
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited11

This paper explores the situational factors that explain why crime in Bormla occurs in certain areas and not others. Bormla, one of the oldest cities in Malta, is the fifth crime hotspot on the Maltese Islands. The objective of this paper is to find out whether socio-demographic aspects and/or other contextual aspects are linked with the rate and type of crime that takes place within this city. A multi-method approach was adopted for the purposes of this paper. Statistics issued by the Malta police were analysed to find out which criminal offences occur there, and in which location. This analysis took place with the help of Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Qualitative and quantitative data collected through a needs assessment exercise conducted with a sample of Bormla respondents in 2009 and 2010 was also analysed to find out whether residents concurred with this official picture of what type of crime takes place there, and where it occurs. Residents were also asked whether they felt safe living in this crime hotspot, when and where they felt safe, and why

Criminology · Geography · Maltese · Perception · Situational ethics · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Crime, Deviance, and Social Control · Policing Practices and Perceptions · Psychology · Social Psychology

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