At this stage of the project we are investigating the types of spatial data that are available and how they might help to provide contextual information to supplement crime data. For example, the figure below shows some burglary rates in two areas that are very close to each other. We have used the
OS MasterMap Topography layer and spatially analysed each of the buildings to try to work out whether they are terraced, semi-detached, flats or detached.
In general, more crimes are committed in the area labeled "B" than in "A". It also appears that the houses in area B are very similar to each other; most are terraced houses of similar design. Therefore it is possible that if someone is able to burgle one of the houses in area B, it is easier to burgle others as their design is so similar. The same is not true in area A which exhibits many different types of house design.
Of course there are a number of other explanations for the difference in the crime rates between the two neighbourhoods, but undoubtedly the physical environment will have an effect. Therefore this type of information might be extremely useful to crime analysts or other people who are interested in understanding the
context behind crime rates. The
GeoCrimeData project will continue to explore these types of data and perform analyses that might reveal interesting spatial information.
