Registered crime hot spots in Ostrava – location, development and influencing factors

Abstract

On the basis of individual crime data, spatial analysis of crime development in Ostrava was conducted followed by analysis of potential urban factors influencing the discovered development. The analysis was preceded by a complex semi-automatic process of harmonisation and data geocoding. A combination of automated and expert techniques were utilised using the description of objects, addresses and even selected situations, continuously improving the location quality. With the most precisely located crime incidents, the spatial distribution of crimes was analysed utilising the method of kernel density estimation. Data from 2009 to 2011 were processed and the development and changes of crime distribution over this period were analysed. In Ostrava, 86 located crime hot spots areas were identified and divided into six categories according to annual changes in the areas. Potential urban factors influencing discovered deve-lopment were considered (i.e. number of flats, use of buildings, slot machines, bars). Mainly the number of flats and use of buildings proved to have a significant influence on the prevailing development of crime hot spots.