SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR SPREAD OF CRIME ACTIVITIES IN AKURE, NIGERIA USING GIS TECHNIQUES

Abstract

This research attempts to bridge the gap between the old and modern fashion of keeping and storing criminal data by investigating the level and spatial analysis of crime occurrence in Akure, Nigeria with a view to promoting security in the city. The responses obtained from the administered copies of the questionnaire were coded and entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 for generating spatial database and exported to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17 for statistical analysis. The crime data were analyzed using spatial analysis technique in ArcGIS 10, Global Mapper 13 and CrimeStat III. Overlays operations were carried out to evolve crime maps. GPS Garmin 76 was employed to obtain co-ordinates of major landmarks in the area, which comprise police stations, banks, markets, liquor stores, and places of worship among others. These were subsequently registered on the base map. The information extracted from the analyzed responses from the questionnaire and crime data were geocoded to the administered points using ArcGIS 10 for better and advanced spatial analysis, and also for hotspot and black spot analysis using Geostatistical Analyst. The study found that the main road network that traverses Akure Metropolis, provides easy access and exit to criminals, and constitutes a dominant axis of crime events as facilities located along the road usually experience armed robbery attack or burglary. Again, crime hotspots are more prevalent in the city core. In view of the efficacy of GIS technique as a tool for detecting crime pattern, occurrence and prediction, the study advocates the development of all inclusive crime database system and training of security agents in the use of information technology to improve intelligence gathering capabilities in a bid to combat crimes in Akure metropolis in particular and Nigeria in general.