GIS AND THE ANALYSIS OF SPATIALLY-REFERENCED CRIME DATA - EXPERIENCESIN MERSEYSIDE, UK

This paper reports on the progress that has been made towards developi ng a GIS-based crime analysis and mapping system for used in the analy sis of crime incident data recorded by the Merseyside Police force in north-west England. The system has been developed using resources from the British Urban Crime Fund; a spatially targeted anti-crime initiat ive aimed at reducing vehicle crime, domestic burglaries, drugs-relate d crime and public disorder in inner city areas. Discussion is focused on how a subset of GIS functions supported in the PC Arc View module can be employed to provide a convenient and immediately accessible mea ns of highlighting patterns in crime statistics and the socio-demograp hic characteristics of areas with high levels of criminal activity.