Segregation of residential areas creates new threats to national security

Segregation of residential areas is a harmful phenomenon in terms of public policy. At worst, it can intensify or create new threats to national security. Segregation refers to different ethnic, socio-economic or cultural groups living separately from each other in certain residential areas or within residential areas. Segregation is linked to many negative social phenomena, such as social, economic and educational inequalities, low trust in institutions and various security problems. 

Segregation is also directly or indirectly linked to threats to internal security and national security. The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service and the Finnish police have jointly investigated the link of the segregation of residential areas on street gang crime and violent radicalisation. 

Segregation alone does not explain violent radicalisation or the emergence of street gangs

Deprived residential areas are characterised by low levels of education and income, high unemployment, low social mobility, a high number of residents speaking a foreign language, low trust in institutions and a high crime rate.

The concentration of disadvantage and population with a foreign background in certain residential areas of large cities increases the risk of the emergence of street gangs in particular. Furthermore, segregation of residential areas also increases factors that expose people to radicalisation, including mental health problems and experiences of injustice deriving from socio-economic disadvantage.

Segregation does not directly cause emergence of street gangs or violent radicalisation. However, the accumulation of disadvantage exposes young people to the recruitment of networks. Both violent extremists and street gangs recruit young people. The reasons they have for joining are partly the same and partly different. Young people are attracted to street gangs by, for example, the possibility to earn money, social status or thrill-seeking. Violently radicalised young people typically seek meaning for their lives and want to belong to a group of like-minded people. 

Radicalisation and networking often take place in online environments, especially among young people and minors. Different physical meeting places, such as informal mosques and prayer houses, prisons and recreational establishments as well as private premises, can also play a significant role in radicalisation and networking. Recruitment of street gangs typically happens through social networks, but it also takes place in information networks.

The concentration of immigrants in certain areas can also increase extreme right-wing terrorism and hate crimes against them, as violent right-wing extremists oppose immigration and the social disadvantages they associate with it. The ideology of violent right-wing extremism emphasises an ethnic ideology or an ideology emphasising white supremacy. 

The threat of radical Islamist terrorism does not affect the areas in which the radicalised people live. Radical Islamist activities in Finland are mainly support activities for terrorism, such as spreading and funding propaganda. The threat is caused by individual actors or small groups. Street gangs, on the other hand, weaken safety locally specifically in their area of operation.

Lack of trust can lead to parallel society structures

Residents’ trust in society and the authorities is weaker in disadvantaged areas than in other areas. This may be reflected, for example, in a higher threshold for contacting the authorities. In most extreme cases, this may generate unofficial parallel structures in the area to take care of security, for example. This kind of trend has been witnessed in Sweden, where the segregation of residential areas has been particularly strong compared to other Nordic countries. In Finland, segregation remains moderate, even though socio-economic or ethnic segregation has increased in some large cities.

Home schooling can be one example of a parallel structure. The Finnish Security and Intelligence Service is particularly concerned about the rapid increase in the popularity of home schooling in the 2020s and the legislation that enables the establishment of unofficial home schools. The number of children in home education has almost tripled since 2018. In the long term, home schooling can contribute to security threats related to the segregation of society, such as extremist influencing on children and young people. It is very difficult for the authorities to supervise teaching in home education and in informal home schools. Another key risk is related to state influencing and refugee espionage. 

In Sweden and Germany, for example, home education is prohibited, and in many European countries it is restricted. In Finland, parents have the right to choose their children’s school or decide on taking them to home education. Families choosing home education often have justified reasons for that related to the child’s health or well-being, for example. However, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service is particularly concerned about different forms of extremist ideological influencing, such as radical Islamist education and foreign actors. 

If it becomes more common, home education may further increase segregation between population groups. School plays a key role in preventing violent radicalisation and violent extremism among children and young people. Those studying in home education and home schools are left outside such measures.

Segregation of population groups opens opportunities for influencing by foreign states

Polarisation and antagonism between population groups is a societal weakness that Russia, in particular, strives to utilise in its own influencing activities. Russia’s goal is to widen social divides in Western countries and to increase citizens’ distrust in the government and the authorities. Parallel structures emerging as a result of segregation provide increased opportunities for hostile states to influence segregated population groups in order to intensify social instability.

Foreign states may also endeavour to use street gang members and other criminals as their proxies from whom they commission crimes for money against targets of their choosing. Such activities may vary from gathering intelligence of an individual target to assassinations.

Segregation is prevented by housing policy and supporting the integration of immigrants

Segregation in residential areas is primarily caused, maintained and intensified by the existing housing stock in the area and selective migration, among others. People with a low income and a foreign background often live in areas with a large number of rental apartments. Selective outward migration may be due to, for example, the reputation of a school in the area or perceived social problems. 

With a view to the long-term development of regional segregation, it is essential where the migration of the resident population and people with an immigrant background is directed in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and whether separate clusters of certain population groups or parallel societies emerge in certain areas where criminal and terrorist networks are mixed together.