SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CRIME INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE WITHIN STUDENTS' RESIDENTIAL AREAS; A HOTSPOT ANALYSIS
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Abstract
This study investigated the types and spatial distribution of crime incidences in the residential areas occupied by students of the University of Jos. The study identified geospatial crime patterns to better understand how criminal activities manifest across space and time within the selected locations. The study used a descriptive survey design, integrating both primary data (questionnaires and GPS coordinates) and secondary data (crime reports and satellite imagery) within a GIS framework. A multi-stage sampling method identified 180 hostels from a total of 540, and spatial analysis using ArcGIS allowed for the visualization of crime patterns and hotspots. Findings revealed four major crime types: theft, assault, burglary, and rape. Theft was found to be the most prevalent, accounting for 44% of reported cases, followed by assault (32%), burglary (20%), and rape (4%). Spatial analysis revealed that Ring Road, Rutsau, and Naraguta Village/Gidan-Mai were the most affected areas, with Ring Road having the highest concentration of theft and burglary incidents. The accessibility of these areas and their proximity to main roads, coupled with poor urban planning and limited security presence, were major contributing factors to the high crime rates. In contrast, Fillin Sukwa, which is closer to a police station and has stronger community cohesion, recorded fewer crime cases. The findings confirmed the dominance of property crimes and personal assaults in university environments. The study concluded that the spatial characteristics of neighbourhoods and the availability of security infrastructure significantly influenced crime patterns. The study recommends keeping up-to-date records of crime detection points, as well as their geographic coordinates, in order to track crimes at the spot level rather than at the neighborhood level, this will help in solving the problem of crime at the grassroot level. Furthermore, strategic urban planning and increased security presence in off-campus student residential areas is encouraged to mitigate crime and enhance student safety.
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References
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