Award Information
The objective of the study is to analyse the relationship between social and spatial characteristics and the pattern of crime in Makurdi town. Social areas are made up of the physical and social environment. The social component influences the organization, perception and use of the physical environment. Although, efforts have been made in mapping social areas of cities in some countries, rare applications of these constructs in crime analysis exist. Social and spatial characteristics of urban communities vary greatly across the globe; as such every city needs to be studied for what the social and spatial components are and what explains crime pattern in the social areas of the city. Makurdi, the capital of Benue state is experiencing increased population and spatial growth; a situation which has resulted to a corresponding increase in crime. The study is an attempt at examining the role of the environment in influencing criminal activities in urban areas.