Analyzing spatio-temporal distribution of crime hot-spots and their related factors in Shanghai, China

As an analysis method for temporal and spatial variations, the hot spot analysis is an effective way to reveal the implied relationship among events. Crime hot spots analysis is fundamentally important for the public safety, and can contribute to combat and prevent crime. In this study, the monthly hotspots of thefts and robberies in Shanghai in 2009 are analyzed and mapped by using the hotspot analysis tool of ArcGIS 9.3. The spatio-temporal variations of hotspots for those two types of crime are identified. In order to find their related factors, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is adopted to investigate the 18 indicators (e.g. resident population density and floating population density) involved in the crime distribution. The main factors related to the crime hot spots are discussed. The spatio-temporal variations of crime hot spots would benefit the decision-making for combating and preventing urban crime.