The built environment faces challenges from fire hazards and threats by malicious actors. Risks presented from these hazards and threats are managed through the practices of fire safety and physical security. Whilst distinct disciplines, both impact the built environment systems, resulting in potential conflict. To manage this conflict, a complex process is required. Through the framework of Governmentality, using a mixed methods approach, the study explored the process which fire safety engineers and security practitioners undertake to manage this conflict. The study produced a conceptual model that explains how practitioners operate and manage risk associated with fire safety hazards and security threats. The model indicates that the process for resolving conflicts is a dichotomy between physical security and fire safety, with fire safety being the most dominate and influential. Nevertheless, both fire safety and physical security are subservient to building regulations in this process; however unlike security, fire safety is codified through building regulations. Risk assessment and the design process are core processes, but only used in decision-making when there is conflict between the fire safety and physical security. Findings demonstrated that context remains static for greater threats, whereas context is dynamic for fire safety.

Abstract Public libraries are multifunctional places where visitors come to borrow books, use computers and socialise—all these activities impose a diverse set of safety demands on those responsible for these facilities. Drawing from environmental criminology and CPTED principles, this study proposes and tests a conceptual model to investigate the spatiotemporal nature of crime and other safety-related incidents in public libraries. Incidents recorded by personnel from 2017 to 2020 from two public libraries in Stockholm, Sweden are mapped using a three-dimensional model in CAD and compared with notes from fieldwork inspections and interviews with library personnel. Findings show that staff feel safe in the library, but mention unsafe situations that they avoid by taking precautionary measures. In addition, public disturbances, aggression, followed by crimes against property and vandalism vary both temporally and across different types of library environments. The design and layout of public libraries play a role in the libraries’ safety conditions (e.g. territoriality, surveillance opportunities), but some places are more challenging than others because of the activities they attract (e.g. entrances). The study concludes by critically assessing the proposed methodology and making suggestions to improve safety in public libraries and advance the role of place managers in multifunctional places.

Cybersecurity threats have increased as the world becomes increasingly interconnected. Whilst the use of technology to facilitate commercial activities is now common practice, there is a need to limit exposure to these threats so that traders can transact safely. This study aimed to identify and analyse common cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats experienced by small-scale African migrant traders in Southern Africa. A qualitative approach was employed and semi-structured and key informant interviews were conducted to gather the primary data, with secondary data sourced from the relevant literature. The study found that the majority of the small-scale traders experienced hacking while using their mobile devices for transacting. Moreover, most reported a lack of knowledge of cybersecurity and were therefore vulnerable to further threats. It is recommended that small-scale traders be capacitated with relevant technical information to enhance their understanding of cybersecurity risks that can negatively affect their commercial activities. There is also a need for further research to identify mitigation techniques and infrastructure to protect small-scale traders.

After the Silk Road closure, many studies started focusing on the trend and patterns of darknet-related crimes in the 2010s. This first study combined a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis in the field. This study clarifies 49 articles in criminology and penology among 1150 publications relating to the darknet on the Web of Science database to review and analyze the research evolutions of this topic in the last decade. The main findings point out (1) almost all leading authors with their most influential papers came from the Global South with predominant contributions; (2) unbalancing publications between regional scholars and their institutions and countries although the darknet-related criminals occurred and operated without border; and (3) some specialized themes have identified to call further extensive research such as policing interventions in the darknet and flows of the cryptocurrency in cryptomarkets, among others.

We study the emergence of new forms of law violations in Latin America during the coronavirus pandemic. Based on data from online news articles, we construct a typology of "new" crimes: (1) hate or fear crimes against health workers and hospitals; (2) illegal denials of public mobility out of fear of infection; (3) looting and other traditional crimes justified by the pandemic; and (4) violations of pandemic regulations. Studies of crime during the pandemic have focused on traditional crime and have been based on rational choice theory and a routine activities approach. We argue that in order to understand the recent crime trends in Latin America, these must be accompanied by other theories of crime, together with a better understanding of the role of the State. Our typology can be a starting point for discussions and further research on the complex relationship between criminal behavior and policy responses in pandemics.