Analyzing the property crime patterns in Peninsular Malaysia: ESDA approach
List of Authors
  • Nuzlinda Abd. Rahman , Syerrina Zakaria

Keyword
  • Property crime, population density, unemployment rate, Moran’I index, hot spot mapping

Abstract
  • The objective of this study is to analyze the spatial cluster of crime cases in Peninsular Malaysia by using the exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA). In order to identify and measure the spatial autocorrelation (cluster), Moran’s I index were used. Based on the cluster analyses, the hot spots of the property crime occurrence were mapped. The maps were constructed by overlaying the hot spots of property crime rate for the year 2001, 2005 and 2009. Meanwhile, the maps of hot spots for population density and unemployment rates factors were constructed based on data obtained from the census report published in the year 2000. As a result, the hypothesis of spatial randomness is rejected indicating cluster effect exists in the study area. The findings revealed that crime was distributed non-randomly, suggestive of positive spatial autocorrelation. The findings of this study can be used by the government, policy makers and responsible agencies to take related actions in terms of crime prevention, human resource allocation and law enforcement in order to reduce crimes in the future.

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