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Permanent School Closures and Crime: Evidence from Scotland

Author

Listed:
  • Borbely, Daniel

    (University of Dundee)

  • Gehrsitz, Markus

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • McIntyre, Stuart

    (University of Strathclyde)

  • Rossi, Gennaro

    (University of Strathclyde)

Abstract

In this article we study the effects of permanent school closures on crime. We leverage the closure of over 300 schools in Scotland between the school years 2006/07 and 2018/19, and employ a staggered difference-in-differences design on a matched sample. We find that neighbourhoods affected by school closures experience a reduction in crime of about 9% of a standard deviation, relative to areas where schools remained open. This effect is mainly driven by a reduction in violent and property crimes. We provide evidence on several mechanisms explaining the negative crime effect, such as changes in neighbourhood composition and reductions in school-level segregation.

Suggested Citation

  • Borbely, Daniel & Gehrsitz, Markus & McIntyre, Stuart & Rossi, Gennaro, 2023. "Permanent School Closures and Crime: Evidence from Scotland," IZA Discussion Papers 16523, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16523
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    Keywords

    crime; school closures; neighbourhoods;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • R20 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - General
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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