Crime analysis and police station location in Swaziland : a case study in Manzini
Date
2006-03
Authors
Tengbeh, Sahr
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Criminal activity and police station locations have an inherent geography that needs to be understood in
order for crime prevention strategies to be reasonably effective. This study analysed the spatiotemporal
pattern of crime in the city of Manzini, in Swaziland, for the period of 2004 and determined
suitable locations for future police stations.
Four categories of crime were analysed. These were crimes against property, crimes against people,
drug related crimes and crimes against public order. Five main analyses were performed namely:
overlay analysis, proximity analysis, temporal analysis, morphological analysis, and accessibility
analysis.
The findings suggest that crimes against property are the most prevalent category of crime in Manzini
with a prevalence rate of 84.2%. This category was followed by crimes against people (11.9%), drug
related crimes (3.5%), and crimes against public order (0.4%). Landuses associated with transportation
experienced the highest amount (22%) of crime in Manzini. There was a strong relationship between
incidents of crime and areas with medium to high population density. The proximity analysis revealed
that the highest concentration of incidents of crime was between 50 and 100 metres from alcohol serving
establishments in Manzini. In a similar analysis, the proximity of incidents of crime to
educational institutions was concentrated between 500 and 1000 metres whereas the proximity of
incidents of crime to the Manzini police station was dominant between 250 and 500 metres. Of all
recorded incidents of crime 87% occurred during the day while 13% occurred during the night. In areas
of high-crime concentration such as the bus rank and the Manzini market, it was established that the
structural layout of these areas promoted criminal activity. The accessibility analysis showed that seven
police stations are necessary to ensure that people do not walk more than 30 minutes to the nearest
police station in Manzini.
The study concluded that crime prevention strategies would require the intervention of both the police
and city planners to be reasonably successful. It also noted that the establishment of accessible police
stations would complement the efforts of the police in their endeavour to combat crime in Manzini.
Description
Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Geography and environmental studies, Crime in Swaziland, Geography of crime, Environmental criminology, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for crime analysis, Police station location, Theses -- Geography and environmental studies