Safety measures in Turku City Centre, Finland
Safety measures in Turku City Centre
Safety and security are about more than just police presence, security guards, and other traditional methods. Collaboration between different stakeholders fosters dialogue, generates new ideas, and enhances the operations of all actors in the city centre.
Turku is a city by the Baltic sea, located in the south-west of Finland. It is an old Hanseatic town and the oldest city in the country, with nearly 800 years of history. Turku is considered a large city by Finnish standards, with a population of just over 200 000, though relatively small on global scale. It has always been an international harbour city, and today its population is growing by more than 4000 people per year.
On global scale, Turku and its city centre are very safe. However, national statistics show that Turku has one of the highest crime rates in Finland. It also, unfortunately, ranks first in the number of homeless people relative to population in Finland.
City centres are naturally places for gathering, and Turku’s vibrant downtown attracts all kinds of people – including individuals with substance use problems. Substance users are frequently cited as the main factor that reduces comfort in the city centre – a view shared by both the general public and business owners. Although crime statistics indicate that substance users rarely pose a direct threat to others, their presence can create discomfort or even fear. For business owners, the more tangible issues are shoplifting and drug use in public restrooms.
To improve both the perception of safety and actual crime rates, stakeholders in Turku's city centre decided to act collectively. The downtown association, Turku Center, convened a multi-professional group to tackle this complex issue. This collaborative city centre safety group includes representatives from the police, the city government, public healthcare, third-sector social services, and property owners.
The group began regular meetings in 2023, and discussions have been open-minded and the different perspectives on the matter have been represented from the start. Early on, the group recognised that the root causes of safety concerns are highly complex and cannot be addressed solely at the city centre level – nor are there quick solutions for preventing social exclusion, particularly for individuals who have already passed the tipping point socially and financially. On a more positive note, the group continued sharing information and the discussions and within a few months, the first safety pilot project was launched.
A key insight was the distinction between sense of safety and actual safety. The former can often be improved through smaller, quicker measures, whereas the latter typically requires more time and systemic solutions. With a shared mindset of moving “from complaining to action”, the group began developing ideas to enhance the general sense of security.
City centre safety can be structured into a broader concept with three core objectives:
- A safer centre – a safer operating environment provides a better framework for business and public well-being.
- Improving the sense of safety – This is not just about taking action but also about effective communication.
- Enhancing the image of the city centre – safety is a key part of the city centre's image and significantly impacts its vitality.
The concept comprises three main measures: joint security patrols, the collaborative safety group, and coordinated communication efforts.
The first pilot - now running for three consecutive summers - involved hiring a security guard with customer service skills to patrol the city centre (which, notably, is very compact - it takes only about 15 minutes to walk from one end to the other). In the first year, the City of Turku funded the pilot. The guard’s responsibilities included helping visitors with general queries, observing safety-related issues, contacting police or ambulance services if needed, conducting on-the-spot safety assessments for entrepreneurs, assisting with shoplifting cases (within legal limits), and building familiarity with homeless individuals and substance users. The positive feedback from the first summer gave the opportunity to get real estate owners involved financially and also the team size was doubled for the busiest days
In addition to the joint patrols, the collaborative city centre safety group has continued its meetings, three to four times a year with different themes and open discussions. In January this year, for example, the police presented a summary of the previous year’s crime statistics. Communication efforts include press releases and surveys. In addition to the data and fact-based communications, the group the group also aims to highlight positive developments regarding safety in the city centre.
Together, these measures improve both the reality and perception of safety. They also provide a shared platform for different stakeholders to collaborate, reinforcing the sense of collective responsibility and community. The work around safety continues, and the level of ambition must continue to rise as the world around us evolves.
About the author
Formed in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is the international professional body that supports people committed to developing, managing and making places better.