Is there value, and a practical application for the use of ‘risk terrain’ analysis in the rural county of Lincolnshire?

Fox, Hayley Yvette

Abstract

Risk terrain modelling (RTM) has been demonstrated to work in identifying locations at future risk of crime, with most published research in highly urbanised areas of the America’s. This research investigates the applicability of RTM, using the Simsi RTMdx software, in rural Lincolnshire for two contrasting crime types. It explores how RTM can identify properties at risk to being used by outof- town drug dealers to facilitate their business, and the identification of areas which are at risk of hare coursing, the chasing of hares by hounds. Following a literature review to identify potential influential spatial risk factors, georeferenced data sets were obtained from Ordnance Survey, Office of National Statistics, and open sources for inclusion in the modelling process, modelled against historical locations of cuckooed properties and hare coursing for Lincoln and Lincolnshire respectively.

The research looked to determine whether there was value in using the RTM method for one or both crime types, and to assess whether officers saw practical application in the results generated. Two phases of semi-structured interviews of a small number of police officers were undertaken. Phase one, before the analysis focused on their general understanding of analysis and analytical products and their views on the crimes being modelled. Phase two, after the modelling process focused on the results of the RTM analysis and the presentation of results.

The RTM analysis results supported the technique for determining high risk areas for county lines cuckooing, and hare coursing in Lincolnshire. Officers interviewed found RTM to be of value and could offer a valuable and practical contribution to policing in a rural setting.

Citation

Fox, H. Y. Is there value, and a practical application for the use of ‘risk terrain’ analysis in the rural county of Lincolnshire?. (Thesis). Keele University. Retrieved from https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1012538

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 5, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 19, 2024
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/1012538
• Award Date: 2024-12