GIS and the analysis of spatially-referenced crime data: Experiences in Merseyside, U.K.

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Abstract
This paper reports on the progress that has been made towards developing a GIS-based crime analysis and mapping system for used in the analysis 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 initiative aimed at reducing vehicle crime, domestic burglaries, drugs-related 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 means of highlighting patterns in crime statistics and the socio-demographic characteristics of areas with high levels of criminal activity.