NCJ Number
195957
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 30 Issue: 3 Dated: May/June 2002 Pages: 229-243
Date Published
May 2002
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article examined the factors that account for broad crime trends and patterns in Ghana (1980-1996).
Abstract
The study followed the "pattern theory," which focuses attention and research on the environment and crime, and claims that crime locations, location characteristics, the movement paths that bring offenders and victims together at such locations, and people's perceptions of crime locations are significant topics for study. The theory asserts that crime as an inevitable societal problem is fostered by the special characteristics of specific types of environments. Ghana police data for the period 1980-1996 showed discernible patterns of crime at national and regional levels of aggregation. Crime was highest in the more developed and densely populated regions of southern Ghana. Assault was the highest recorded offense, followed by theft. The study analyzed three broad categories of offenses (against person, property, and public) and six types of criminal offenses (murder and manslaughter, threatening and causing harm, assault, robbery, and burglary and theft). The study provided further research to evaluate spatial inequalities among regions in Ghana. Improvement in data collection and computerization could enhance spatial coding. Figure, tables, notes, references