Current language: English

What is SafeCi?

SafeCi - Safer Space for Safer Cities

Safer Space for Safer Cities (SafeCi) was a two and a half year European security project to protect public spaces against terrorist attacks, coordinated by the Berlin Police and initiated by the Senate Department for the Interior and Sport in Berlin.

The terrorist attacks of recent years have shown that security is a common task of the European Union. How can public spaces be better protected in Europe? What approaches have already been tried and tested across Europe? These questions encouraged the Berlin Police to develop a “Best Practices” project on the protection of public spaces. The funding granted by the European Commission from the European Fund for Internal Security (ISF-P) made it possible to implement the project.

The Project Consortium comprised ten European police authorities.

Goals and Results

The aim of the project was to analyse and evaluate existing concepts, strategies and technical solutions to improve the protection of public spaces and to ensure public safety in Europe.

During the project, an intensive exchange of information took place between the Consortium Partners.

SafeCi brought together and gave structure to existing know-how and provided a comprehensive European overview on protection measures of public spaces.

The results have been summarised in a 400-page long handbook with the title:

European Recommendations for the Protection of Public Spaces against Terrorist Attacks

The project demonstrated the large range of options and perspectives across Europe and discussed six key topics, containing 25 examples of good practice in Europe.

The key topics of the handbook are:
  • Risk and Threat Assessment for Public Spaces
  • Structural Protection of Public Spaces against Terrorist Attacks
  • Event Security in Public Spaces
  • Protection of Critical Infrastructure
  • Innovative Approaches to the Protection of Public Spaces
  • Awareness-raising Strategies for the Protection of Public Spaces

A further important goal of the project was to generate a strong European network and to act transnationally. SafeCi assembled a multinational and interdisciplinary project team consisting of experienced police officers, experts and scientists. The successful cooperation of this sustainable network will lead to the better protection of public places.

European police and security authorities can order the handbook from the Berlin Police (via safeci@polizei.berlin.de.)

SafeCi - Förderhinweis