Do you know what is the relationship between population density and crime rates? Does higher population density increase crime rates? Well, at this time, let us talk about this together so you are going to know what is the relationship between population density and crime rates.
What is the Relationship Between Population Density and Crime Rates?
What is the relationship between population density and crime rate? Over the years, sociologists and criminologists have already investigated some factors related to crime rate. Some major theories such as relative deprivation and subcultural deviance theory, social disorganization theory, and general strain theory contend that community-level variables, such as population density, are among the factors directly or indirectly contributing to crime via reducing social control or increasing strain. These theories have been tested empirically. But the effects of population density on crime rate remain nebulous. While several studies discover that population density, overcrowding, and housing quality are not the predictors of crime and other social pathologies of poor neighborhoods, others studies suggest that high density has harmful side effects including possible social disorder and crime.
A review of the literature says that most previous studies tested the density-crime relation utilizing statistical methods such as correlation and regression. While statistical methods have lots of advantages, they also have limitations. First, they do not have the capability of visualizing the relations between population density and crime rate as well as other factors. Second, the results of statistical analysis are probably not reliable when the sample size of a data set is small. Third, while statistical methods are widely applied in academic research, they are seldom utilized in the practice of urban planning and law enforcement.
We get information that the GIS application provides a fresh alternative approach to the conventional statistical methods. Over the last decade, GIS application has emerged as a powerful instrument for solving lots of problems. Compared to the statistical methods, GIS application has some advantages. A primary advantage of GIS application is that it will be able to visualize the spatial patterns of crimes, the relations between crime and its correlates, and the differentiation of crime kind and its related attributes. A second advantage is that even with a small sample size, the GIS application can still show meaningful information. Third, visualized information is able to be very useful in the deployment of police forces and the allocation of resources. Finally, with improvement in its software and ease for mastery, GIS application is rapidly becoming a crucial tool for analysis at all levels of public- and private-sector management, administration, and planning.
Do Higher Population Densities Increase Crime?
Crime, mainly violent crime, is always prevalent in the public consciousness. At the same time, data from the UN reported that in the year 2014, population densities and the prevalence of urban areas continue to increase, with more than half the world’s population living in urban areas for the first time in history.
From an intuitive standpoint, the relationship between crime rates and population density is unclear. It seems likely that crime rates will increase as population densities increase. When you are traveling alone at night, having a higher population density will make it more likely to have people in the vicinity that lowers your opportunities of being mugged. Also, there tends to be a stronger tax base, allowing for more police who simultaneously have less area to patrol. So, which is it? Do crime rates that measure the number of incidents per 100,000 people, go up or down with increasing population density?
In fact, the answer to this question is rather complex. Over the years, population density has increased throughout the state, while crime rate has gone down consistently. Nevertheless, there continues to be a correlation between population density and crime rate.
Who Commits Crime?
Statistics show that several groups of people are more likely to commit crime than others. People are more likely to commit crime if they are:
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- Younger
The peak age for criminal convictions is 21 up to 25 for males and 26 up to 30 for females. For offences (minor crimes, for example, breach of the peace) the peak age is lower for both females and males. - Male
According to the research, the majority of crime (around 70%) is committed by men. Almost all violent crime is undertaken by the men. - Living in an urban area
Most of the crime happens in cities, mainly in city centers at weekends or in areas with poorer quality housing.
- Younger
Who Is Affected by Crime?
Apparently, the chances of being a victim of a crime are not the same for every person. People from several groups are more likely to be victims of crime than others. Young people have a higher risk of being a victim of crime compared to older people. Well, here we are going to show the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey in the year 2019/2020.
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- 18 percent of adults aged 16-24 experienced crime.
- 14 percent of 25 up to 44-year-olds experienced crime.
- 7 percent of those aged 60+ experienced crime.
Also, the risk of being a victim of violent crime decreases with age:
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- 5.4 percent for 16-24 years old
- 0.6 percent of those aged over 60 years old
In 2019 – 2020, there was no difference discovered between men and women in the likelihood of experiencing crime. But men were more likely than women to experience violent crime.
When and Where Crime Happens?
Violent crime is most likely to occur in or near a victim’s place of work (32 percent), followed by inside a victim’s home (20 percent) and immediately outside a victim’s home (13 percent). Just over half (53 percent) of violent crimes take place during the week, compared to 47 percent at the weekend.
The Consequences of Crime
Individuals: Crime has a range of effects on the victims and their family members. Those affected can be hurt emotionally, physically and/or financially. If the crime involves violence, the effects can be worse.
Communities: Communities that experience higher levels of crime are adversely affected. Aside from people being frightened inside or outside their home, property prices are affected and the homeowners can discover it more difficult to sell their property. Also, crime has an impact on home insurance premiums.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
