Why identify hot spots?

Identifying hotspots helps a partnership perform some of the first steps for identifying and filtering areas for prioritising resources, improved targetteing and more positive impact in tackling these local problems.

The geographic identification of hotspots is a visualisation process that guides the targeting of crime and disorder reduction resources. Simply identifying a hotspot does not mean that it provides the answers for directing reduction resources to particular locations. Instead, it provides an opportunity to explore and understand in a more focused manner how crime and disorder is generated in these areas of high activity, leading to the better design and allocation of crime and disorder reduction resources.

The statistical evidence that can be gathered from these focus areas also helps to support a more informed decision-making process of crime reduction resource allocation.