Observatory Paper: Analysis of recorded crime by district in the Brussels Region

This study explores the relationships between recorded crime and the socio-economic characteristics of districts in the Brussels-Capital Region. 

Using a statistical approach (multivariate analysis based on 14 variables), the safe.brussels observatory offers a structured interpretation of local dynamics. Combining a correlation matrix, a principal component analysis and a classification method, it highlights five types of districts with similar socio-economic and criminological profiles.

The results notably show that districts characterized by high population density, lower median income, and higher unemployment rates exhibit higher levels of recorded crime for the offenses analyzed.

These observations highlight that crime cannot be understood without taking its context into account. They underscore the central role of structural factors in understanding the territorial dynamics of crime.

Download