Drawing on official crime and criminal justice statistics, this article provides an analysis of the state of the crime levels and penal systems in the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) and their responses to crime. Specifically, an attempt is made to discuss the question of whether the Scandinavian welfare model has left imprints on trends in crime and crime control in these various countries. Statistical sources indicate that the crime level in Scandinavia is similar to or lower than that of other Western European countries. Empirical analyses also show that the risks of being exposed to crime are explained by variations in the level of urbanization and other factors. There has been a substantial increase in crime rates during the post-war period, indicating that the recorded increases in traditional crime (i.e. theft and violence) in Europe may have common structural roots. The system of control by means of criminal justice in the Scandinavian countries is characterized by relatively low police density, a clear-up rate that has declined, comparatively high sanctioning rates, the imposition of fines in a high proportion of criminal cases and relatively low prison populations. The fear of crime is comparatively low in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden, and people do not feel the need to take special precautions. Citizens also appear to be satisfied with the performance of the police, and support limited use of prison sentences. Tables, references